Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes Region

Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes Region Species distribution models (SDMs) are tools that combine species observations of occurrence, abundance, or biomass with environmental variables to predict the distribution of a species in unsampled locations. To produce accurate predictions of occurrence, abundance or biomass distribution, a wide range of physical and/or biological variables is desirable. Such data is often collected over limited or irregular spatial scales, and require the application of geospatial techniques to produce continuous environmental surfaces that can be used for modelling at all spatial scales. Here we provide a review of 102 environmental data layers that were compiled for the entire spatial extent of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Maritimes Region. Variables were obtained from a broad range of physical and biological data sources and spatially interpolated using geostatistical methods. For each variable we document the underlying data distribution, provide relevant diagnostics of the interpolation models and an assessment of model performance, and present the final standard error and interpolation surfaces. These layers have been archived in a common (raster) format at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography to facilitate future use. Based on the diagnostic summaries in this report, a subset of these variables has subsequently been used in species distribution models to predict the distribution of deep-water corals, sponges, and other significant benthic taxa in the Maritimes Region. Cite this data as: Beazley, Lindsay; Guijarro, Javier, Lirette; Camille; Wang, Zeliang; Kenchington, Ellen (2020). Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes Region. Published July 2023. Ocean Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/34a917cb-a0e3-403c-91c7-af3dc20628b1 2023-08-18 Fisheries and Oceans Canada ellen.kenchington@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Nature and EnvironmentMarine Conservation TargetsOceans Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes RegionESRI REST https://gisp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/arcgis/rest/services/FGP/Characteristics_Environmental_Data_Distribution_Modelling_Maritimes/Mapserver Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes RegionESRI REST https://gisp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/arcgis/rest/services/FGP/Characteristics_Environmental_Data_Distribution_Modelling_Maritimes/Mapserver Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes RegionTIFF https://pacgis01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/FGPPublic/Characteristics_Environmental_Data_Distribution_Modelling_Maritimes/Downloads/Maritimes_Region.zip Data DictionaryHTML https://api-proxy.edh.azure.cloud.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/catalogue/records/34a917cb-a0e3-403c-91c7-af3dc20628b1/attachments/CharacteristicsofEnvironmentalData_RasterDD.htm

Species distribution models (SDMs) are tools that combine species observations of occurrence, abundance, or biomass with environmental variables to predict the distribution of a species in unsampled locations. To produce accurate predictions of occurrence, abundance or biomass distribution, a wide range of physical and/or biological variables is desirable. Such data is often collected over limited or irregular spatial scales, and require the application of geospatial techniques to produce continuous environmental surfaces that can be used for modelling at all spatial scales. Here we provide a review of 102 environmental data layers that were compiled for the entire spatial extent of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Maritimes Region. Variables were obtained from a broad range of physical and biological data sources and spatially interpolated using geostatistical methods. For each variable we document the underlying data distribution, provide relevant diagnostics of the interpolation models and an assessment of model performance, and present the final standard error and interpolation surfaces. These layers have been archived in a common (raster) format at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography to facilitate future use. Based on the diagnostic summaries in this report, a subset of these variables has subsequently been used in species distribution models to predict the distribution of deep-water corals, sponges, and other significant benthic taxa in the Maritimes Region.

Cite this data as: Beazley, Lindsay; Guijarro, Javier, Lirette; Camille; Wang, Zeliang; Kenchington, Ellen (2020). Characteristics of Environmental Data Layers for Use in Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes Region. Published July 2023. Ocean Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/34a917cb-a0e3-403c-91c7-af3dc20628b1

Data and Resources
 View on Map

Contact Information

Delivery Point: Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Drive, PO Box 1006

City: Dartmouth

Administrative Area: Nova Scotia

Postal Code: B2Y 4A2

Country: Canada

Electronic Mail Address: ellen.kenchington@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Similar records