Integrating Remote Sensing, Citizen Science, and AI in Next-Generation Species Distribution Models: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges

• Authors: George Malaperdas , Marc Soler
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Species Distribution Models (SDMs) have become central to ecological research, conservation planning, and biodiversity monitoring. However, traditional approaches relying primarily on climatic predictors and presence-only data face significant limitations. In this study, we explore the integration of three rapidly expanding data sources — remote sensing, citizen science, and artificial intelligence (AI) — to build a next-generation framework for SDMs. Using bibliometric analysis and case study synthesis, we evaluate recent trends and highlight methodological advances that leverage high-resolution satellite imagery, UAV data, large-scale citizen science platforms, and deep learning algorithms. Results demonstrate that hybrid SDMs incorporating heterogeneous data improve predictive accuracy, enhance spatiotemporal resolution, and support real-time ecological forecasting. We argue that this paradigm shift can overcome long-standing issues of sampling bias, model generalizability, and data scarcity, particularly in under-studied regions. Our findings suggest a roadmap for developing SDMs capable of supporting urgent conservation decisions under accelerating global change.

Keywords

EN

biodiversity conservation; citizen science; deep learning; ecological niche models; remote sensing; species distribution modeling

Discipline

• ENVIRONMENT_&_ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2026
• Volume: 64
• Pages: 246-262

Contributors

author

George Malaperdas

• Department of Environment, Ionian University, M. Minotou-Giannopoulou Str. Panagoula, 29100 Zakynthos, Greece

author

Marc Soler

• College of Humanities and Social Scinces, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, United States

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• Document Type: article