Felid distributions in the Southern Yungas: enhancing species distribution models with field data

Abstract Biodiversity assessments in remote ecosystems are often limited by the difficulty of detecting rare, cryptic or nocturnal species. Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely used to predict distributions, yet few studies validate them with independent field data. Converting continuous suitability maps into binary predictions through threshold selection remains controversial. Nearly 50% of felid species are threatened, making accurate habitat prediction essential for conservation. The