ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Testing the Effect of Resolution on Species
Distribution Models Using Two Invasive Species
More details
Hide details
1
Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Department of Forest Engineering, Isparta, Türkiye
Submission date: 2023-03-25
Final revision date: 2023-05-04
Acceptance date: 2023-05-20
Online publication date: 2023-11-30
Publication date: 2024-01-22
Corresponding author
Serkan Özdemir
Department of Forestry, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, 32260, .ısparta, Turkey
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2024;33(2):1325-1335
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Species distribution models are the most useful tools that reveal the relationships of target species
with environmental variables. The most frequently preferred environmental variables are bioclimatic
parameters due to their ability to be interpolated into the future. Bioclimatic variables can be
downloaded from various databases at different resolutions. The aim of the present study is to reveal
the effect of resolution preference on species distribution models. Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Ailanthus
altissima, two invasive species, were selected as target species. These species have large potential
distributions. In addition, studies indicate that their distribution is increasing rapidly. Therefore, it poses
a threat to both human health and biodiversity. In the present study, a significant difference was found
between the predictive values obtained with different resolutions for both species. It was also observed
that the model with the highest AUC values was obtained with bioclimatic variables that have 10 arc
minutes resolution for both species. The AUC values showed that the models had excellent explanatory
power. Finally, potential suitable areas covering almost all of Europe were identified for the two invasive
species. It is thought that these species may pose a serious threat in terms of both biodiversity and
human health if careful attention is not exercised in the planning.