Biodiversity modeling advances will improve predictions of nature’s contributions to people

2023/11/15 by Jamie M. Kass, Keiichi Fukaya, Wilfried Thuiller +1 · 2 voices · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Land Use and Ecosystem Services #Species Distribution and Climate Change #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.tree.2023.10.011

openalex publication_date 2023/11/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Accurate predictions of ecosystem functions and nature's contributions to people (NCP) are needed to prioritize environmental protection and restoration in the Anthropocene. However, our ability to predict NCP is undermined by approaches that rely on biophysical variables and ignore those describing biodiversity, which have strong links to NCP. To foster predictive mapping of NCP, we should harness the latest methods in biodiversity modeling. This field advances rapidly, and new techniques with promising applications for predicting NCP are still underutilized. Here, we argue that employing recent advances in biodiversity modeling can enhance the accuracy and scope of NCP maps and predictions. This enhancement will contribute significantly to the achievement of global objectives to preserve NCP, for both the present and an unpredictable future.

Citations

• A standard protocol for reporting species distribution models
• Seven Shortfalls that Beset Large-Scale Knowledge of Biodiversity

Cited by

• Transnational conservation to anticipate future plant shifts in Europe

Discussions

• 🧬 Research Highlight Cutting-edge Biodiversity Models Will Help Assess Nature’s Vital Contributions to People People depend on nature in a multitude of ways. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.10 [bsky, 4 points, 1 comments]
• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.10.011 [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]

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