Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), or Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) has emerged as a very robust and powerful tool to develop a deeper understanding on distribution of species with a wide range of applications like demarcation of areas for species reserves and potential areas for species reintroduction and conservation planning It has proved to be extremely useful in studying and predicting the range shifts in species due to climate change. SDM refers to the process of using computer algorithms to predict the distribution of species in geographic space on the basis of a mathematical representation of their known distribution in environmental space.

Capacity building of the researchers and practitioners in SDM involved in biodiversity conservation studies will greatly help in understanding the patterns, processes and mechanisms involved in maintenance of biodiversity. A 3-day training programme on 'Applications of Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) in biodiversity research' is being organized at TERI University, New Delhi. This training programme will provide an overview of Species Distribution Modeling and its application in biodiversity research.

The participants will have hands-on experience on various aspects of SDM viz., (i) acquisition and processing of species occurrence and environmental data from various sources, (ii) using software tools (DIVA and MaxEnt) to generate species distribution models, and (iii) to evaluate and validate species distribution models for practical and field applications. The training will be an opportunity for the participants to generate distribution models independently and discuss with the trainers.