Species distribution

A species distribution is the geographic area in which members of a species occur, including its occupied locations and broader range.

Geographic range: The spatial area occupied by a population, species, or other biological group. This is the spatial extent summarized by a species distribution.
Dispersal: The movement of organisms or propagules away from their place of origin. Dispersal lets species reach locations beyond their current range.
Species distribution modeling: A method that relates species occurrence records to environmental variables to estimate geographic suitability. These models turn occurrence data into estimates of suitable areas across a region.
Endemic species: A species native to and restricted to a particular geographic area. A narrow distribution can make a species especially vulnerable to habitat loss or local disturbance.
Habitat: The natural environment in which an organism lives and obtains the conditions and resources it needs. Habitat suitability helps explain where a species can occur, but does not equal its actual distribution.
Range expansion: An increase in the geographic area occupied by a species or population. It describes one way a species distribution changes over time.
Range map: A map showing the known or estimated geographic extent of a species. It is a common representation of a species’ distribution.
Species richness: The number of species present in a defined area or community. Comparing distributions shows how species richness varies across places.
Ecological niche: The set of environmental conditions and resources that permits a species to persist and reproduce. A species’ niche helps account for the environmental boundaries of its distribution.
Climate envelope: The climatic conditions associated with a species’ observed occurrences. Climate envelopes are used to estimate which regions may support a species.

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