Picea Chihuahuana:comparison of species distribution models (SDM) MaxEnt and CDS SDM TOOLBOX (CLIMPACT)

The Species Distribution Models (SDM) are a cartographic representation of the suitability of a space for the presence of the species, based on the variables used like climate and soil types. Suitability is nothing more than the statistical relationship between the real known distribution and a set of independent variables that are used as indicators.

In this study, we seek to evaluate the functionality and feasibility of the Climpact methodology (CDS SDM Toolbox) for the elaboration of potential distribution models of species, by means of comparison with the results of the Maxent model.

We calculated the potential distribution of Picea chihuahuana in the state of Chihuahua with both methodologies. This tree is endangered, and it’s an endemic relic totally or almost confined to a natural area.

The results are the following: Potential distribution model of Picea Chihuahuana with Maxent

The Climpact methodology generates tables for each continuous variable, showing the minimum and maximum value observed in the records. The final result of the Climpact methodology is the potential distribution model, which indicates the percentage of optimal conditions for the distribution of the species.

The results are the following: Potential distribution model of Picea Chihuahuana with CDS SDM Toolbox (Climpact)

The results in both methodologies (Climpact and Maxent) are similar in terms of shape and spatial location, concentrating on the municipalities of Bocoyna, Maguarichi, Guerrero and Ocampo and a region in the southwest of the State. However, with the Climpact results, you can observe easier the potential areas with higher aptitude.

The distribution area of the Picea chihuahuana, produced by Maxent, is smaller than the one of Climpact.

Climpact proposes a more friendly, established and understandable methodology, which is why its result is easier to interpret compared to Maxent. Likewise, Maxent's algorithm is much more complex and difficult to process.