Ecological Niches and Geographic Distributions by A. T. Peterson, J. Soberón, R. G. Pearson, R. P. Anderson, E. Martínez-Meyer, M. Nakamura, and M. B. Araújo Peterson, A. T., J. Soberón, R. G. Pearson, R. P. Anderson, E. Martínez-Meyer, M. Nakamura and M. B. Araújo. 2011. Ecological Niches and Geographic Distributions. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 314 pp. ISBN-978-0-691-13686-8 (hardbound);

Abstract

A. T. Peterson, J. Soberon, R. G. Pearson, R. P. Anderson, E. Martinez-Meyer, M. Nakamura, M. B. Araujo. 2011. Ecological Niches and Geographic Distributions. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 314 pp. ISBN-978-0-691-13686-8 (hardbound); ISBN-978-0-691-13688-2 (paper). $49.50 (paper), $80.00 (hardbound). The past decade has seen the blooming of a new, interdisciplinary field in which developments in museum informatics, climate modeling, and geographic information system technologies have been combined, allowing for novel examination of species' ecological niches and distributions. These techniques, variously referred to as bioclimatic envelope modeling, habitat suitability modeling, ecological niche modeling, or species distribution modeling, have so far lacked a comprehensive guide summarizing critical concepts, practical considerations, and application examples. Although a recent book has been published that gives some introduction to these concepts (Franklin 2010), this new book by A. Townsend Peterson and 6 coauthors unparalleled in their modeling experience is a much-needed primer and synthesis of this new field. This book is laid out in 3 sections, and begins with a thorough explanation of ecological modeling theory before stepping through the process of assembling and evaluating distribution models and describing an overview of applications. The opening theory chapters are invaluable introductions to the field. Chapter 2 may not be new material to many mammalogists, as it describes the Grinnellian and Eltonian niche concepts with their emphasis … *Correspondent: ewaltari{at}ccny.cuny.edu