Evaluating expert‐based habitat suitability information of terrestrial mammals with <scp>GPS‐</scp>tracking data

Global Ecology and Biogeography · 2022 · 17 citations

• Computer Science
• Ecology
• Geography

Aim: Macroecological studies that require habitat suitability data for many species often derive this information from expert opinion. However, expert-based information is inherently subjective and thus prone to errors. The increasing availability of GPS tracking data offers opportunities to evaluate and supplement expert-based information with detailed empirical evidence. Here, we compared expert-based habitat suitability information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with habitat suitability information derived from GPS-tracking data of 1,498 individuals from 49 mammal species. Location: Worldwide. Time period: 1998-2021. Major taxa studied: Forty-nine terrestrial mammal species. Methods: Using GPS data, we estimated two measures of habitat suitability for each individual animal: proportional habitat use (proportion of GPS locations within a habitat type), and selection ratio (habitat use relative to its availability). For each individual we then evaluated whether the GPS-based habitat suitability measures were in agreement with the IUCN data. To that end, we calculated the probability that the ranking of empirical habitat suitability measures was in agreement with IUCN's classification into suitable, marginal and unsuitable habitat types. Results: IUCN habitat suitability data were in accordance with the GPS data (> 95% probability of agreement) for 33 out of 49 species based on proportional habitat use estimates and for 25 out of 49 species based on selection ratios. In addition, 37 and 34 species had a > 50% probability of agreement based on proportional habitat use and selection ratios, respectively. Main conclusions: We show how GPS-tracking data can be used to evaluate IUCN habitat suitability data. Our findings indicate that for the majority of species included in this study, it is appropriate to use IUCN habitat suitability data in macroecological studies. Furthermore, we show that GPS-tracking data can be used to identify and prioritize species and habitat types for re-evaluation of IUCN habitat suitability data.

Stewardship of global collective behavior

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2021 · 287 citations

• Political Science
• Computer Science
• Political Science

Collective behavior provides a framework for understanding how the actions and properties of groups emerge from the way individuals generate and share information. In humans, information flows were initially shaped by natural selection yet are increasingly structured by emerging communication technologies. Our larger, more complex social networks now transfer high-fidelity information over vast distances at low cost. The digital age and the rise of social media have accelerated changes to our social systems, with poorly understood functional consequences. This gap in our knowledge represents a principal challenge to scientific progress, democracy, and actions to address global crises. We argue that the study of collective behavior must rise to a "crisis discipline" just as medicine, conservation, and climate science have, with a focus on providing actionable insight to policymakers and regulators for the stewardship of social systems.

Stepping Up: A U.S. Perspective on the Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries

Fisheries · 2021 · 1 citations

• Political Science
• Sociology
• Business

Abstract The Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries are global recommendations to address the subordinate position of inland fisheries in sustainability dialogues. Regional and local perspectives are essential for implementing global initiatives. Hence, we surveyed state fisheries agency administrators and American Fisheries Society Governing Board members about the importance, funding, and achievability of the Steps. Respondents rated Science, Communication, and Assessment as highly important, well funded, and achievable steps, unlike Aquaculture and a global Action Plan. Nutrition was rated the most inadequately supported yet achievable step, highlighting an opportunity to promote nutritional contributions of inland fisheries. Opinions were similar between administrators and Governing Board members across U.S. regions, suggesting a foundation for incorporating underemphasized steps into management programs by building multi-organizational partnerships and applying lessons from better integrated steps (e.g., Science, Assessment). Overall, the Steps can advance freshwater science and management in the United States while increasing the visibility of inland fisheries that are rarely prioritized globally.