Modeling the distribution of white spruce (Picea glauca) for Alaska with high accuracy: an open access role-model for predicting tree species in last remaining wilderness areas
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In: Polar Biology, Vol. 32, No. 12, 12.2009, p. 1717-1729.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Modeling the distribution of white spruce (Picea glauca) for Alaska with high accuracy: an open access role-model for predicting tree species in last remaining wilderness areas
AU - Ohse, Bettina
AU - Huettmann, Falk
AU - Ickert-Bond, Stefanie M.
AU - Juday, Glenn P.
PY - 2009/12
Y1 - 2009/12
N2 - Most wilderness areas still lack accurate distribution information on tree species. We met this need with a predictive GIS modeling approach, using freely available digital data and computer programs to efficiently obtain high-quality species distribution maps. Here we present a digital map with the predicted distribution of white spruce (Picea glauca) in Alaska (4 km resolution, accuracy over 90%). Our presented concept represents a role-model for predicting tree species distribution for remote areas world-wide. Although this model intends to be accurate in making predictions rather than to give detailed biological mechanistic explanations, it can also be used as a baseline for further research and testable hypothesis on the importance of the environmental variables used to build a generalizable model. Further, we emphasize that work like presented here is a pre-condition for assessing human impacts and impacts of climate change on species distribution in a quantitative and transparent fashion, allowing for improved sustainable decision-making world-wide.
AB - Most wilderness areas still lack accurate distribution information on tree species. We met this need with a predictive GIS modeling approach, using freely available digital data and computer programs to efficiently obtain high-quality species distribution maps. Here we present a digital map with the predicted distribution of white spruce (Picea glauca) in Alaska (4 km resolution, accuracy over 90%). Our presented concept represents a role-model for predicting tree species distribution for remote areas world-wide. Although this model intends to be accurate in making predictions rather than to give detailed biological mechanistic explanations, it can also be used as a baseline for further research and testable hypothesis on the importance of the environmental variables used to build a generalizable model. Further, we emphasize that work like presented here is a pre-condition for assessing human impacts and impacts of climate change on species distribution in a quantitative and transparent fashion, allowing for improved sustainable decision-making world-wide.
KW - Ecosystems Research
KW - Species distribution models (SDM)
KW - White spruce Picea glauca
KW - Alaska
KW - Tree species
KW - Predictive modeling
KW - Open access (oa)
U2 - 10.1007/s00300-009-0671-9
DO - 10.1007/s00300-009-0671-9
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 32
SP - 1717
EP - 1729
JO - Polar Biology
JF - Polar Biology
SN - 0722-4060
IS - 12
ER -