We’ve developed a new, simple, common-sensical method for using imprecisely georeferenced occurrence data in species distribution modeling and other biogeographic analyses!
Collectively, imprecise records reflect thousands of years of person-work in collection, curation, and digitization, and yet they are routinely discarded by biogeographers before analysis because of the fear that their error will propagate through the analysis. However, these records can sample otherwise underrepresented portions of species niches and ranges.
Our “nearest geographic point” and “nearest environmental point” methods, implemented in the enmSdmX package for R, provide modelers the means to harness these millions of erstwhile “unusable” records!
If you would like a reprint, please contact Adam. Alternatively, you can consult the open access preprint.
Including imprecisely georeferenced specimens improves accuracy of species distribution models and estimates of niche breadth [article | open-access pre-print | request reprint]
Smith, A.B., Murphy, S.J., Henderson, D., and Erickson, K.D. 2023. Global Ecology & Biogeography. 32:342-355.