Species distribution modelling and environmental niche modelling are types of modelling where the occurrence or absence of certain species or crops are linked to environmental conditions that are relevant. The type of organism that is modeled can be variable in nature, ranging from the presence of rare and endangered species, to the outbreak of pest species.
It is used to make interpolations of observations of species over space using relevant explanatory variables. These extrapolations can be used to assess how likely the occurrence of such an species is in unvisited areas. Also, it can provide insight to what extent the spatial distribution of a species will change as a result of changes in conditions, for example due to land cover change, or climate change.
Extrapolations are based on fitting an empirical relation between the presence or absence of a species and the environmental conditions under which it occurs, it’s “niche”.
In this course students will learn hands on how to design, create and evaluate different kinds of environmental niche models (such as logistic regression, boosted regression trees and maximum entropy) and you will learn how you can use these models to make projections when conditions change.
The course is of interest to people that need statistical interpolation techniques. Also, the course will teach you to apply different types of software packages. Next to geo-information software you will be working with the R-software.
This course mainly aims at applications in the domain of natural resources, but when you have an interest in in other domains where this can be applied (e.g. disease outbreaks or rare events such as landslides) this course can also be very useful for you and there will be room to explore the application to your area of interest.