Microsoft Word - ENMEvaluation_Final.docx


Biodiversity	
  Informatics,	
  8,	
  2012,	
  p.	
  41	
  

 
 
 

Biodiversity Informatics Training Module 
NICHE MODELING: MODEL EVALUATION 

 
A. TOWNSEND PETERSON 

Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 USA 
 
Abstract.—Ecological niche modeling has become a very popular tool in ecological and 
biogeographic studies across broad extents. The tool is used in hundreds of publications 
each year now, but some fundamental aspects of the approach have seen a fair amount of 
carelessness. Among these aspects is that of model evaluation or validation. This unit 
provides a simple introduction to the basic concepts that are important in model 
validation, using some very simple examples. The focus is on two solutions to the 
challenge of model evaluation: a simply cumulative binomial approach that can be used 
with binary model outputs, and partial ROC analysis, which can be used with continuous 
model outputs.  
 
 
Exercises, Illustrations, and Reading Materials relevant to this training module can be 
downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/1808/10059. Note that one file has the extension
".xyz". This extension must be changed to ".exe", as it is a program for partial ROC 
analyses and should be installed on your computer.  
 
Video	
  Links	
  (via	
  YouTube):	
  
Part	
  1	
  –	
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTLP8oPcPl8	
  
Part	
  2	
  –	
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCJcQj8m1RI	
  
Part	
  3	
  –	
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgajiIdwQH0	
  
Part	
  4	
  –	
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvxnuq_yeDY	
  
Part	
  5	
  –	
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnljkZrA61Q	
  	
  	
  
	
  
For	
  More	
  Information	
  and	
  More	
  Training	
  Modules:	
  
http://biodiversity-­‐informatics-­‐training.org/