Does the inclusion of physiological and genetic data increase the predictive power of ecological niche models and species distribution and abundance models?
Science / Life Sciences
Human activities, such as climate change and land use change, are dramatically altering the geographic distribution of species around the world, leading to biodiversity loss. Ecological niche modeling is a powerful tool for predicting these shifts, but current models often lack critical details. This project aims to improve the predictive power of these models by incorporating genetic, physiological, and demographic data, focusing on palm species important for biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest. This refined approach will allow us to more accurately predict the impacts of climate change and land use on biodiversity, to better identify species at risk, and to develop more effective conservation strategies in the face of ongoing environmental change.
