Model Distributions of Rare Species using Approximate SDMs based on
Borrowed Strength from Other Species' SDMs
Abstract
Species Distribution Model (SDM) is a useful tool for conserving rare
species. However, the ‘rare species modeling paradox’ presents
challenges in modeling the rarest species, such as Corybas species,
which have a narrow distribution and are known only from a few
localities, making them difficult to model using conventional methods.
An Approximate SDM (ASDMs) method was developed specifically for these
species, employing a subtraction formula weighted by niche overlap
metrics. This method was created in the hope that other rare species
with between 5-20 occurrence records could also be modeled in the
future. Our ASDMs demonstrated a good fit with directly modeled SDMs and
successfully predicted the distributions of rare species with very few
occurrence records. Hence, ASDMs present a promising and user-friendly
approach for modeling potential distributions of rare species.