Mainstreaming remotely sensed ecosystem functioning in ecological niche models

Biodiversity is declining globally at unprecedented rates. Ecological niche models (ENMs) are one of the most widely used toolsets to appraise global change impacts on biodiversity. Here, we identify a variety advantages incorporating remotely sensed ecosystem functioning attributes (EFAs) into ENMs. The development ENMs that explicitly incorporate will allow more holistic and integrative perspective habitat dynamics. synergies between increasingly available open-access satellite images cloud-based platforms for planetary-scale geospatial analysis offer an opportunity processes disturbances (such as fires, insect outbreaks or droughts) have been so far largely neglected in ecological characterization modelling. paradigmatic example EFAs application time series spectral vegetation indices related primary productivity carbon cycle. surface energy balance water cycles derived from remote sensing products such land temperature soil moisture enable fine-scale species' niche—eventually improving predictive performance All these confirm new generation based would great perspectives increase our ability monitor suitability trends population However, despite technical advances increasing effort community develop EFAs, yet make full profit recent developments by integrating them A coordinated agenda experts modellers be essential over coming years bridge gap ecology disciplines take (and timely) advantage fast-growing body Earth observation data technologies—with special emphasis testing variables key driving functioning.