Spatial Biology Lab
@spatialbiologylab.bsky.social
How will climate change reshape whale and dolphin habitats in the Northeast Atlantic? Under high emissions, 12 of 16 species face net habitat loss. Habitat extent, latitudinal shifts and persistence are complementary dimensions of climate change.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Shifting Yet Persisting? Multiple Dimensions of Habitat Suitability Change in Northeast Atlantic Cetaceans
Aim To assess how climate change may alter the extent, spatial distribution and persistence of suitable habitat for 16 cetacean species in the Northeast Atlantic under contrasting climate scenarios....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM
How will climate change reshape whale and dolphin habitats in the Northeast Atlantic? Under high emissions, 12 of 16 species face net habitat loss. Habitat extent, latitudinal shifts and persistence are complementary dimensions of climate change.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
In our last contribution, we reveal how terrestrial vertebrates serve as key indicators for ecosystem services in Portugal. By mapping the spatial overlap between biodiversity patterns and ecosystem service supply, we identified "win-win" areas for conservation.
In our last contribution, we reveal how terrestrial vertebrates serve as key indicators for ecosystem services in Portugal. By mapping the spatial overlap between biodiversity patterns and ecosystem service supply, we identified "win-win" areas for conservation.
Assessing terrestrial vertebrates as potential biodiversity indicators of ecosystem services in multifunctional landscapes
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
doi.org
September 2, 2026 at 3:14 PM
doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
In our last contribution, we reveal how terrestrial vertebrates serve as key indicators for ecosystem services in Portugal. By mapping the spatial overlap between biodiversity patterns and ecosystem service supply, we identified "win-win" areas for conservation.
In our last contribution, we reveal how terrestrial vertebrates serve as key indicators for ecosystem services in Portugal. By mapping the spatial overlap between biodiversity patterns and ecosystem service supply, we identified "win-win" areas for conservation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Why are Mediterranean oak ecosystems (dehesas/montados) declining? New research across Portugal & Spain reveals that while mature tree size increases acorn production, it also raises defoliation risk. Biotic threats like trunk beetles & rot are the main drivers.
Why are Mediterranean oak ecosystems (dehesas/montados) declining? New research across Portugal & Spain reveals that while mature tree size increases acorn production, it also raises defoliation risk. Biotic threats like trunk beetles & rot are the main drivers.
Drivers of tree health and reproduction in mediterranean oaks: Trade-offs between tree size, biotic stress, and acorn production
Mediterranean oak ecosystems, also known as montado and dehesa, are threatened by a multifactorial oak decline phenomenon, driven by climatic stress a…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 31, 2026 at 2:04 PM
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Why are Mediterranean oak ecosystems (dehesas/montados) declining? New research across Portugal & Spain reveals that while mature tree size increases acorn production, it also raises defoliation risk. Biotic threats like trunk beetles & rot are the main drivers.
Why are Mediterranean oak ecosystems (dehesas/montados) declining? New research across Portugal & Spain reveals that while mature tree size increases acorn production, it also raises defoliation risk. Biotic threats like trunk beetles & rot are the main drivers.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Are climate specialists prone to extinction, or do they drive evolution? New global research on 4200+ small mammals reveals that nearly 40% are climate specialists. While specialisation boosts diversification in short-lived groups, time drives species richness!
Are climate specialists prone to extinction, or do they drive evolution? New global research on 4200+ small mammals reveals that nearly 40% are climate specialists. While specialisation boosts diversification in short-lived groups, time drives species richness!
Diversification in small mammals is associated with climatic specialisation, whereas species accumulation reflects evolutionary time - Nature Communications
Why some lineages diversify explosively while others remain species-poor is been a central question in evolutionary biology. This global analysis on small mammals shows that climatic specialisation is...
www.nature.com
August 31, 2026 at 2:04 PM
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Are climate specialists prone to extinction, or do they drive evolution? New global research on 4200+ small mammals reveals that nearly 40% are climate specialists. While specialisation boosts diversification in short-lived groups, time drives species richness!
Are climate specialists prone to extinction, or do they drive evolution? New global research on 4200+ small mammals reveals that nearly 40% are climate specialists. While specialisation boosts diversification in short-lived groups, time drives species richness!
Our last contribution is out! We modelled the spatial supply of eight ecosystem services with InVEST. Reptiles are the vertebrate group most associated with ecosystem services. Terrestrial vertebrates may serve as biodiversity indicators of ecosystem service supply patterns.
doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
Assessing terrestrial vertebrates as potential biodiversity indicators of ecosystem services in multifunctional landscapes
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
doi.org
July 20, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Our last contribution is out! We modelled the spatial supply of eight ecosystem services with InVEST. Reptiles are the vertebrate group most associated with ecosystem services. Terrestrial vertebrates may serve as biodiversity indicators of ecosystem service supply patterns.
doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
New paper published in Oikos!! We revealed that females tend to nest closer to the shoreline when litter is more abundant, overriding natural mid-beach nesting preferences.
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
Marine litter can shift sea turtle nests toward the shoreline
Marine litter is an emerging threat to sea turtle rookeries, yet its effects on nesting behaviour remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how macro-litter accumulation on beaches inf...
doi.org
June 2, 2026 at 10:14 AM
New paper published in Oikos!! We revealed that females tend to nest closer to the shoreline when litter is more abundant, overriding natural mid-beach nesting preferences.
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
Check our last contribution! We used ecological niche models (Maxent) to assess noise risk for cetaceans at the Tropic Seamount.
link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/...
link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/...
Noise Risk Assessment for Deep-Sea Exploration
The exploration of deep-sea resources has been on hold for decades. It is therefore of paramount importance to provide a framework and adequate tools for monitoring environmental impact. Among other d...
link.springer.com
May 28, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Check our last contribution! We used ecological niche models (Maxent) to assess noise risk for cetaceans at the Tropic Seamount.
link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/...
link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/...
Check our last contribution! We analysed how Wild-born vs. Reintroduced horses choose different habitats for feeding & resting in Mongolia using remote sensing data and ecological niche models.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Habitat use differs in released and wild-born Przewalski´s horses of the great Gobi B strictly protected area (Mongolia) - European Journal of Wildlife Research
The Przewalski´s horse (Extinct in the Wild in 1996) is currently listed as Endangered. The first individuals were reintroduced to the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area (GGBSPA) in Mongolia in 1997...
link.springer.com
May 28, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Check our last contribution! We analysed how Wild-born vs. Reintroduced horses choose different habitats for feeding & resting in Mongolia using remote sensing data and ecological niche models.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Females of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta tend to nest closer to the shoreline when marine litter is more abundant. Marine litter contributes to coastal squeeze, reducing nesting habitats. We mapped litter across 40 nesting beach sections on Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde.
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
Marine litter can shift sea turtle nests toward the shoreline
Marine litter is an emerging threat to sea turtle rookeries, yet its effects on nesting behaviour remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how macro-litter accumulation on beaches inf...
doi.org
February 20, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Females of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta tend to nest closer to the shoreline when marine litter is more abundant. Marine litter contributes to coastal squeeze, reducing nesting habitats. We mapped litter across 40 nesting beach sections on Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde.
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
doi.org/10.1002/oik....
We found a significant decline in habitat suitability over the past two decades in the Montesinho/Nogueira Special Conservation Area (Portugal), impacting all taxonomic groups (vascular flora, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) and ecological functions.
doi.org/10.1007/s002...
doi.org/10.1007/s002...
Time-Series Niche Modelling Reveals Declining Tendencies of Habitat Suitability and Ecological Functions in a Mountainous Protected Area - Environmental Management
Monitoring biodiversity in protected areas is essential to mitigate biodiversity loss and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation policies. Integrating satellite remote sensing technologies, ecolog...
doi.org
February 18, 2026 at 7:43 PM
We found a significant decline in habitat suitability over the past two decades in the Montesinho/Nogueira Special Conservation Area (Portugal), impacting all taxonomic groups (vascular flora, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) and ecological functions.
doi.org/10.1007/s002...
doi.org/10.1007/s002...
Job offer! PhD position in the doctoral network PALPROX at the University of Porto:
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
MSCA-Funded PhD positions within the project Doctoral School PALPROX Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing Data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu
February 2, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Job offer! PhD position in the doctoral network PALPROX at the University of Porto:
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
Job offer! Nine PhD positions in the doctoral network PALPROX: euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395927
Nine MSCA-Funded PhD positions within the Doctoral Network PALPROX Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology
DOCTORAL SCHOOL PALPROX
euraxess.ec.europa.eu
February 2, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Job offer! Nine PhD positions in the doctoral network PALPROX: euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395927
Job offer! PhD position in the doctoral network PALPROX at the University of Porto:
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
MSCA-Funded PhD positions within the project Doctoral School PALPROX Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing Data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu
January 29, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Job offer! PhD position in the doctoral network PALPROX at the University of Porto:
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
Identification of potential archaeological sites for microvertebrates using Remote Sensing data
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404678
Job offer! PhD position in the doctoral network PALPROX at the University of Porto:
Using SAR images to determine the influence of paleo-rivers on the distribution of microvertebrates
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404674
Using SAR images to determine the influence of paleo-rivers on the distribution of microvertebrates
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404674
MSCA-Funded PhD positions within the project Doctoral School PALPROX Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology
Using SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images to determine the influence of paleo-rivers on the distribution of microvertebrates
euraxess.ec.europa.eu
January 29, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Job offer! PhD position in the doctoral network PALPROX at the University of Porto:
Using SAR images to determine the influence of paleo-rivers on the distribution of microvertebrates
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404674
Using SAR images to determine the influence of paleo-rivers on the distribution of microvertebrates
euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/404674
Job offer! Nine PhD positions in the doctoral network PALPROX: euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395927
Nine MSCA-Funded PhD positions within the Doctoral Network PALPROX Proxies from Small Vertebrates in Prehistoric Archaeology
DOCTORAL SCHOOL PALPROX
euraxess.ec.europa.eu
January 29, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Job offer! Nine PhD positions in the doctoral network PALPROX: euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/395927
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Using mechanistic models, we assessed how microhabitat variability and physiological traits influence activity, time in preferred temperature, shade selection, and water loss under different climate change scenarios on two green lizard species.
Using mechanistic models, we assessed how microhabitat variability and physiological traits influence activity, time in preferred temperature, shade selection, and water loss under different climate change scenarios on two green lizard species.
Physiology–microhabitat matching may help organisms cope with the thermal and hydric challenges under climate change: a tale of two lizards
Climate change is significantly affecting biodiversity, and organisms that depend on external temperature – such as ectotherms – are particularly vulnerable to these effects. Microhabitats provide re...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Using mechanistic models, we assessed how microhabitat variability and physiological traits influence activity, time in preferred temperature, shade selection, and water loss under different climate change scenarios on two green lizard species.
Using mechanistic models, we assessed how microhabitat variability and physiological traits influence activity, time in preferred temperature, shade selection, and water loss under different climate change scenarios on two green lizard species.
Last contribution! We propose a novel method for sampling bias correction by weighting observer kernel densities for individual species with the relative observers' contribution to the total number of focus species presences.
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Species‐observer link and kernel density estimation of background points allow for sampling bias correction in bird species distribution models
Species distribution models (SDMs), broadly referring to both species distribution and ecological niche modelling frameworks, are widely used to predict habitat suitability. However, their performanc...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Last contribution! We propose a novel method for sampling bias correction by weighting observer kernel densities for individual species with the relative observers' contribution to the total number of focus species presences.
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
ecotrends is an R package for assessing species vulnerability through the analysis of temporal habitat suitability trends.
Ecotrends: an R package for estimating habitat suitability trends over time
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Ecotrends: an R package for estimating habitat suitability trends over time
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Ecotrends: an R package for estimating habitat suitability trends over time
ecotrends is an R package that provides a comprehensive framework for assessing species vulnerability by analysing temporal trends in habitat suitabil…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:48 AM
ecotrends is an R package for assessing species vulnerability through the analysis of temporal habitat suitability trends.
Ecotrends: an R package for estimating habitat suitability trends over time
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Ecotrends: an R package for estimating habitat suitability trends over time
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We present here a description of the early Miocene muroids (Muroidea, Rodentia) of the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin (Spain)
zoobank.org/References/7...
zoobank.org/References/7...
zoobank.org
November 14, 2025 at 10:34 AM
We present here a description of the early Miocene muroids (Muroidea, Rodentia) of the Ribesalbes-Alcora Basin (Spain)
zoobank.org/References/7...
zoobank.org/References/7...
In this paper, we provide paleoecological insights for the Late Pleistocene Neanderthal mountain occurrence at Buena Pinta Cave (Iberian Central System, Pinilla-del-Valle, Madrid, Spain)
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
New paleoecological insights for the Late Pleistocene Neanderthal mountain occurrence at Buena Pinta Cave (Iberian Central System, Pinilla-del-Valle, Madrid, Spain)
The Late Pleistocene sequence from the archaeological site of the Buena Pinta Cave (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid) has furnished the following ectothermic…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:33 AM
In this paper, we provide paleoecological insights for the Late Pleistocene Neanderthal mountain occurrence at Buena Pinta Cave (Iberian Central System, Pinilla-del-Valle, Madrid, Spain)
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
In this paper, we analyse the chelonian remains recovered from Buena Pinta Cave site (Middle to Late Pleistocene), the most complete with semi-articulated specimens from the Calvero de la Higuera Archaeological Complex (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, central Spain).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Fossil tortoises from the middle to late pleistocene of Buena Pinta Cave (Pinilla del Valle, Central Spain): implications for the altitudinal record of Chersine hermanni and conservation strategies
The Hermann’s tortoise (Chersine hermanni), an endangered species, currently ranges from eastern Spain to the Balkans and some Mediterranean islands, though fossil evidence shows a wider past distr...
www.tandfonline.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM
In this paper, we analyse the chelonian remains recovered from Buena Pinta Cave site (Middle to Late Pleistocene), the most complete with semi-articulated specimens from the Calvero de la Higuera Archaeological Complex (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, central Spain).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In our last paper, we proposed a novel method for sampling bias correction in ecological niche models by estimating observer kernel densities for individual species and subsequently weighting them according to each observer relative contribution
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Species‐observer link and kernel density estimation of background points allow for sampling bias correction in bird species distribution models
Species distribution models (SDMs), broadly referring to both species distribution and ecological niche modelling frameworks, are widely used to predict habitat suitability. However, their performanc...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM
In our last paper, we proposed a novel method for sampling bias correction in ecological niche models by estimating observer kernel densities for individual species and subsequently weighting them according to each observer relative contribution
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...