Simulation of Avifauna distributions using remote sensing

We explore the fundamental idea that thermal and water-relation environments of birds, as estimated from satellite data and biophysical models, can define the constraints on their occurrences and richness. From experimental observations we know that species richness tends to track biological or environmental gradients. We develop individual bird energy budget models, driven by satellite data, and use these models to define the climate space niche of birds and their distributions across the geographic landscape.