Publications
In search of relevant predictors for marine species distribution modelling using the MarineSPEED benchmark dataset Flanders Marine Institute Ghent University
Aim: Ideally, datasets for species distribution modelling (SDM) contain evenly sampled records covering the entire distribution of the species, confirmed absences and auxiliary ecophysiological data allowing informed decisions on relevant predictors. Unfortunately, these criteria are rarely met for marine organisms for which distributions are too often only scantly characterized and absences generally not recorded. Here, we investigate predictor ...
Modelling the distribution of key tree species used by lion tamarins in the Brazilian Atlantic forest under a scenario of future climate change Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp
We used three IPCC climate change scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1) in a dynamic vegetation model (CARAIB), to determine the potential future distribution of 75 tree species used by two endemic primate species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF). Habitat conservation is a vital part of strategies to protect endangered species, and this is a new approach to understanding how key plant species needed for survival of golden lion tamarins ...
In search of relevant predictors for marine species distribution modelling using the MarineSPEED benchmark dataset Ghent University
Aim: Ideally, datasets for species distribution modelling (SDM) contain evenly sampled records covering the entire distribution of the species, confirmed absences and auxiliary ecophysiological data allowing informed decisions on relevant predictors. Unfortunately, these criteria are rarely met for marine organisms for which distributions are too often only scantly characterized and absences generally not recorded. Here, we investigate predictor ...
Evolutionary algorithms for species distribution modelling : a review in the context of machine learning Ghent University
Scientists and decision-makers need tools that can assess which specific pressures lead to ecosystem deterioration, and which measures could reduce these pressures and/or limit their effects. In this context, species distribution models are tools that can be used to help asses these pressures. Evolutionary algorithms represent a collection of promising techniques, inspired by concepts observed in natural evolution, to support the development of ...
Applying species distribution modelling for the conservation of the threatened saproxylic Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) Research Institute for Nature and Forest
Despite its size and attractiveness, many Lucanus cervus sites remain undetected in NW Europe because of its short flight period and its nocturnal activity. Therefore, present-day designated conservation areas for L. cervus are probably insufficient for a sustainable conservation of the species. We applied eight species distribution modelling techniques (artificial neural networks, classification tree analysis, generalised additive models, ...
Bio-ORACLE: a global environmental dataset for marine species distribution modelling Ghent University
Aim: The oceans harbour a great diversity of organisms whose distribution and ecological preferences are often poorly understood. Species distribution modelling (SDM) could improve our knowledge and inform marine ecosystem management and conservation. Although marine environmental data are available from various sources, there are currently no user-friendly, high-resolution global datasets designed for SDM applications. This study aims to ...
Modelling species distribution from camera trap by-catch using a scale-optimized occupancy approach Research Institute for Nature and Forest KU Leuven
Abstract Habitat selection is strongly scale-dependent, and inferring the characteristic scale at which an organism responds to environmental variation is necessary to obtain reliable predictions. The occupancy framework is frequently used to model species distribution with the advantage of accounting for imperfect observation, but occupancy studies typically do not define the characteristic scale of the modelled variables. We used camera trap ...
Conservation status assessment of banana crop wild relatives using species distribution modelling KU Leuven
Crop wild relatives (CWR) are an essential source of genetic material for the improvement of certain traits in related crop species. Despite their importance, increasing public, scientific and political support, large gaps still exist in the amount of genetic material collected and conserved of many CWR. Here, we construct a dataset on the distribution of wild banana species (Musa spp.) and assess the risk and conservation status of wild ...