Marlon E. Cobos

TL;DR: The kuenm R package is presented, a new set of tools for performing detailed development of ecological niche models using the platform Maxent in a reproducible way, and allows robust processes of model calibration, facilitating creation of final models based on model significance, performance, and simplicity.

TL;DR: Evaluated the potential geographic extent under present and future conditions using ecological niche modeling approach based on museum records available for this species at the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit indicated that lone star ticks are currently likely to be present in broader regions across the Eastern Seaboard as well as in the Upper Midwest.

TL;DR: The North American distributional potential of the recently invaded tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was estimated using occurrence data from its geographic range in other parts of the world and relevant climatic data sets to indicate a broad potential distribution, but restricted to three sectors.

TL;DR: Overall, the view is one of caution: although resulting predictions are fascinating and attractive, this paradigm has pitfalls that may bias and limit confidence in niche model outputs as regards the implications of climate change for species’ geographic distributions.

TL;DR: Seven heuristic methods of variable selection are compared against a novel approach that proposes to select best sets of variables by evaluating performance of models created with all combinations of variables and distinct parameter settings of the algorithm in concert.