Species Distribution Models

The MoHaBa project (Modellierung ganzjähriger Habitatpräferenzen von Blau-, Finn-, Zwerg- und Buckelwalen im zirkumpolaren Südozean, BMEL-Projekt; 2018-2022) was a project financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) through the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). The main objective of the MoHaBa project was to provide detailed, quantitative knowledge about the spatial and temporal distribution of baleen whales in the Southern Ocean. The project focuses on modelling the dynamic habitat suitability of four baleen whale species in the Southern Ocean using visual sightings and passive acoustics data: Antarctic Minke Whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis); Antarctic Blue Whales (B. musculus intermedia); Fin Whales (B. physalus); Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)] The main results of the project are presented in the following papers: El-Gabbas A, Thomisch K, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2023) Dynamic species distribution models of Antarctic blue whales in the Weddell Sea using visual sighting and passive acoustic monitoring data. Diversity and Distributions 30(1): 87-105. El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2021) Dynamic species distribution models in the marine realm: predicting year-round habitat suitability of baleen whales in the Southern Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science 8. El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2021) Static species distribution models in the marine realm: the case of baleen whales in the Southern Ocean. Diversity and Distributions 27(8):1536-1552. Datasets / posters Thomisch K, El-Gabbas A, Spiesecke S, Boebel O (2023) Daily acoustic presence of Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) within a 10 km radius of recording sites in the Weddell Sea, based on passive acoustic monitoring data from 2008 to 2013. PANGAEA (dataset bundle). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-round habitat suitability of Antarctic blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in the Southern Ocean. PANGAEA (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2022) Year-Round Habitat Suitability of Baleen Whales in the Southern Ocean. Figshare (dataset). El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I, Burkhardt E, Boebel O (2019) Modelling habitat suitability of whales in the Southern Ocean. World Marine Mammals Conference (WMMC), Barcelona, Spain. December 9-12, 2019. Duengen D, El-Gabbas A, Burkhardt E (2019) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) distribution modelling in the Nordic Seas & adjacent waters. World Marine Mammals Conference (WMMC), Barcelona, Spain. December 9-12, 2019. Other publications Duengen D, Burkhardt E, El-Gabbas A (2022) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) distribution modeling on their Nordic and Barents Seas feeding grounds. Marine Mammal Science 38(4):1583-1608. Schall E, Thomisch K, Boebel O, Gerlach G, Woods SM, El-Gabbas A, Van Opzeeland I (2021) Multi-year presence of humpback whales in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean but not during El Niño. Nature Communications Biology 4, Article number: 790.

Jul 21, 2024

The BioDT (Biodiversity Digital Twin) a three-year initiative funded by the EU Horizon Europe program, aimed at enhancing our understanding and management of biodiversity through advanced technological means. The BioDT project focuses on creating a digital twin for biodiversity, leveraging high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and data integration. It aims to provide sophisticated modeling, simulation, and prediction capabilities to better understand and manage biodiversity dynamics. The project is designed to address critical global challenges related to biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, and ecosystem services. Groups of thematic use cases test the work developed by technical partners and will address biodiversity challenges through prototype Digital Twins (pDTs). The BioDT pDTs are divided into four main groups focusing on: ► Species response to environmental change Biodiversity Dynamics Ecosystem Services ► Genetically detected biodiversity Crop wild relatives and genetic resources for food security DNA detected biodiversity in cryptic habitats ► Dynamics and threats from and for species of policy concern Invasive Species ► Species interactions with each other and with humans Pollinators Disease Outbreaks I am responsible for preparing data for and modelling the distribution of invasive alien species across Europe using joint species distribution models.

Jul 21, 2024

Invasive alien species (IAS) threaten biodiversity and human well-being. These threats may increase in the future, necessitating accurate projections of potential locations and the extent of invasions. The main aim of the IAS prototype Digital Twin (IAS pDT) is to dynamically project the level of plant invasion at habitat level across Europe under current and future climates using joint species distribution models.

Jun 14, 2024

Abstract Aim Species distribution models (SDMs) are essential tools in ecology and conservation. However, the scarcity of visual sightings of marine mammals in remote polar areas hinders the effective application of SDMs there.

Dec 28, 2023

Aug 26, 2022

Aug 26, 2022

Aug 26, 2022

Aug 26, 2022

Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) distribution modeling on their Nordic and Barents Seas feeding grounds Diandra Duengen, Elke Burkhardt, Ahmed El-Gabbas Ocean Acoustics Group, Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany Klußmannstraße 3d, DE-27570 Bremerhaven, Germany Understanding cetacean distribution is essential for conservation planning and decision-making, particularly in regions subject to rapid environmental changes.

May 6, 2022

Dec 26, 2021