Species distribution models have been used since the 1980s to predict probable distribution using a combination of species occurrence data and predictive environmental data thought to influence their distribution. While distribution modeling presents a way to predict species distribution with incomplete data, using data that does not encompass the entire range of a species may lead to geographic bias in the potential distribution predicted by the model. This study aims to determine whether modeling using regionally biased data predicts incomplete potential distributions and examine why regional data may not adequately describe the potential distribution. Their results show that distributions predicted with regional data provide an incomplete description of the environmental limits of a species when compared to distributions modeled using data covering the entire species range. Due to this issue it is recommended that potential distributions be modeled using data from all known populations or a subsample from population across the entire range. While this study reflects the importance of utilizing data from across the entire known range when trying to predict potential distributions as predicted by climate it does not consider other factors that may influence distribution. Some areas within the range of the beetles do not have records of presence which may be due to limitations of the natural dispersal of these species as opposed to the climate variables in those areas.
Sanchez-Fernandez, D., Lobo, J. M. and Hernandez-Manrique, O. L. 2011. Species distribution models that do not incorporate global data misrepresent potential distributions: a case study using Iberian diving beetles. Diversity and Distributions, 17, 163-171. DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2010.00716.x