ENMeval 2.0: Redesigned for customizable and reproducible modeling of species’ niches and distributions

Quantitative evaluations to optimize complexity have become standard for avoiding overfitting of ecological niche models (ENMs) that estimate species’ potential geographic distributions. ENMeval was the first R package to make such evaluations (often termed model tuning) widely accessible for the Maxent algorithm. It also provided multiple methods for partitioning occurrence data and reported various performance metrics. Requests by users, recent developments in the field, and needs for software compatibility led to a major redesign and expansion. We additionally conducted a literature review to investigate trends in ENMeval use (2015–2019). ENMeval 2.0 has a new object‐oriented structure for adding other algorithms, enables customizing algorithmic settings and performance metrics, generates extensive metadata, implements a null‐model approach to quantify significance and effect sizes, and includes features to increase the breadth of analyses and visualizations. In our literature review, we found insufficient reporting of model performance and parameterization, heavy reliance on model selection with AICc and low utilization of spatial cross‐validation; we explain how ENMeval 2.0 can help address these issues. This redesigned and expanded version can promote progress in the field and improve the information available for decision‐making.

• Publication year

  2021

• Venue

  Methods in Ecology and Evolution

• Publication date

  2021-06-04

• Fields of study

  Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1111/2041-210X.13628
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• A standard protocol for reporting species distribution models

  2020influential reference
• Sufficient versus optimal climatic stability during the Late Quaternary: using environmental quality to guide phylogeographic inferences in a Neotropical montane system

  2019cited by this paper
• Standards for distribution models in biodiversity assessments

  2019cited by this paper
• Akaike information criterion should not be a "test" of geographical prediction accuracy in ecological niche modelling

  2019cited by this paper
• Biotic predictors with phenological information improve range estimates for migrating monarch butterflies in Mexico

  2019influential reference
• A checklist for maximizing reproducibility of ecological niche models

  2019influential reference
• A new null model approach to quantify performance and significance for ecological niche models of species distributions

  2019cited by this paper
• Species' range model metadata standards: RMMS

  2019influential reference
• Species distribution models can be highly sensitive to algorithm configuration

  2019cited by this paper
• The challenge of modeling niches and distributions for data‐poor species: a comprehensive approach to model complexity

  2018influential reference
• Toward ecologically realistic predictions of species distributions: A cross‐time example from tropical montane cloud forests

  2018cited by this paper
• blockCV: an R package for generating spatially or environmentally separated folds for k-fold cross-validation of species distribution models

  2018cited by this paper
• ggplot2 - Elegant Graphics for Data Analysis (2nd Edition)

  2017cited by this paper
• Cross-validation strategies for data with temporal, spatial, hierarchical, or phylogenetic structure

  2017cited by this paper
• A single‐algorithm ensemble approach to estimating suitability and uncertainty: cross‐time projections for four Malagasy tenrecs

  2017cited by this paper
• Wallace: A flexible platform for reproducible modeling of species niches and distributions built for community expansion

  2017cited by this paper
• Opening the black box: an open-source release of Maxent

  2017influential reference
• Habitat Suitability and Distribution Models: With Applications in R

  2017cited by this paper
• Multiple sources of uncertainty affect metrics for ranking conservation risk under climate change

  2015cited by this paper
• What do we gain from simplicity versus complexity in species distribution models

  2014cited by this paper
• R: A language and environment for statistical computing.

  2014cited by this paper
• ENMeval: An R package for conducting spatially independent evaluations and estimating optimal model complexity for Maxent ecological niche models

  2014cited by this paper
• Making better Maxent models of species distributions: complexity, overfitting and evaluation

  2014cited by this paper
• Ecological Niches and Geographic Distributions (MPB-49)

  2011cited by this paper
• Ecological niche modeling in Maxent: the importance of model complexity and the performance of model selection criteria.

  2011influential reference
• The art of modelling range‐shifting species

  2010cited by this paper
• Uncertainty in ensemble forecasting of species distribution

  2010cited by this paper
• Spatially autocorrelated sampling falsely inflates measures of accuracy for presence‐only niche models

  2009cited by this paper
• Do they? How do they? WHY do they differ? On finding reasons for differing performances of species distribution models

  2009cited by this paper
• Maximum entropy modeling of species geographic distributions

  2006cited by this paper
• Evaluating the ability of habitat suitability models to predict species presences

  2006cited by this paper
• The Elements of Statistical Learning: Data Mining, Inference, and Prediction

  2004cited by this paper

• Identifying hotspots and drivers of wildlife-vehicle collision risk using citizen science data: a case study focused on the European badger Meles meles

  2026influential citation
• Bridging shared PWD-resistant consensus and implementation across Mainland Portugal: An assessment framework for large-scale mixed-forest conversion projects and their cost–feasibility

  2026cites this paper
• Genomic Insights into Adaptation of Lagerstroemia suprareticulata to Limestone Karst Habitats.

  2026cites this paper
• Increasing the credibility of conservation plans through citizen science

  2026cites this paper
• Can Ecological Niche Modeling of Prickly Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus L.) Predict Future Forest Distribution Limits in Central Anatolia?

  2026cites this paper
• Saharan vertebrate flagships are good ecosystem-wide climate response surrogates

  2026cites this paper
• Reevesia in a Warmer World: Mapping the Habitat Suitability of Its Two Representative Species (R. pubescens and R. thyrsoidea) in China

  2026cites this paper
• Burning biodiversity: Wildfire probability and environmental exposure of endemic reptiles in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

  2026cites this paper
• The persistent threat of Niphades castanea to China’s chestnut across three major river basins

  2026influential citation
• Harnessing social media data to track species range shifts.

  2026influential citation
• Modeling Climate Change Impacts on a Socioeconomically Vital Plant: The Case of Comanthera elegans (Goldenfoot Flower)

  2026influential citation
• The Crucial Role of Local Adaptation in the Conservation of the Giant Panda Under Climate Change

  2026cites this paper
• Snakes on Trains: Railways May Sway Goa's King Cobra Distribution

  2026cites this paper
• Bioclimatic drivers and niche Thresholds: Decoupling the habitat suitability dynamics of Phoebe zhennan

  2026cites this paper
• Ecotrends: an R package for estimating habitat suitability trends over time

  2026cites this paper
• GermVersity: A free and user-friendly interface to enhance the visualization and analysis of genebank data

  2026cites this paper
• When Good Fit Goes Bad: Identifying and Minimising Overfitting in Ecological Niche Models

  2026cites this paper
• Simulated Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on the Potential Distribution Range of Four Taxus Species in China

  2026cites this paper
• Hotspots of timber species declines in Nigeria: evidence from species distribution models under climate and land use change

  2026influential citation
• From least concerned to endangered? An integrated approach to determine the distribution, suitable habitat, and future of Dryophytes immaculatus

  2026cites this paper
• Rethinking road mitigation priorities through detection-informed interpretation of roadkill data and road crossability

  2026cites this paper
• Finding a needle in a heath stack: A strategy to optimize the detection of a rare marsupial on the brink of local extinction

  2026cites this paper
• Evaluating spatial heterogeneity and suitability patterns for soybean cultivation in Heilongjiang: A productivity-oriented approach

  2026cites this paper
• Range dynamics and habitat shifts of Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) in response to future climatic variability

  2026cites this paper
• Assessment of multiple outcomes of habitat models can significantly affect conservation decisions for threatened species

  2026cites this paper
• Identification and Prediction of the Invasion Pattern of the Mikania micrantha with WaveEdgeNet Model Using UAV-Based Images in Shenzhen

  2026cites this paper
• Prioritizing stream network connectivity for species conservation and sustainable planning

  2026influential citation
• Climate change-induced shifts in habitat suitability for the European roe deer (Capreolus Capreolus L., 1758) across Europe and Türkiye

  2026influential citation
• Ordovician horseshoe crab body and trace fossil association preserved in a unique taphonomic setting

  2026cites this paper
• Forecasting Northward Range Expansion of Switchgrass in China via Multi-Scenario MaxEnt Simulations

  2025influential citation
• Diversity and spillover risk of swine acute diarrhea syndrome and related coronaviruses in China and Southeast Asia

  2025cites this paper
• Quaternary Habitat Fluctuations and Demographic Dynamics in Turtles Inferred From Environmental Niche Modelling and Whole Genome Data

  2025influential citation
• Impact of future climate change and land-use change on habitat suitability for a long-distance avian migrant under diverse socioeconomic-emission scenarios

  2025cites this paper
• The Past, Present, and Future Distribution of Sargentodoxa: Perspectives From Fossil Record and Species Distribution Models

  2025influential citation
• Effectiveness of temporal matching in ecological niche models: Insights for a low‐dispersing species

  2025cites this paper
• Spatial Distribution and Environmental Variables Associated with Control Failures of Phthorimaea absoluta by Insecticides Determined by Machine Learning Algorithm

  2025cites this paper
• Improving Distribution Prediction by Integrating Expert Range Maps and Opportunistic Occurrences: Evidence From Japanese Sea Cucumber

  2025cites this paper
• Forecasting habitat suitability across large carnivore ranges with climate and land use change

  2025cites this paper
• Forecasting alien species establishment and source regions: Quantitative assessment of potential ant invasions in Japan

  2025cites this paper
• Introgression, Phylogeography, and Genomic Species Cohesion in the Eastern North American White Oak Syngameon

  2025influential citation
• Mitochondrial Phylogeography of Anomaloglossus stepheni (Anura: Aromobatidae) Reveals Low Genetic Diversity Despite Wide Guiana Shield Distribution

  2025cites this paper
• Predicting the Current and Future Habitat Distribution for an Important Fruit Pest, Grapholita dimorpha Komai (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Using an Optimized MaxEnt Model

  2025cites this paper
• Correcting environmental sampling bias improves transferability of species distribution models

  2025cites this paper
• Predicting Potential Habitats of the Endangered Mangrove Species Acanthus ebracteatus Under Current and Future Climatic Scenarios Based on MaxEnt and OPGD Models

  2025influential citation
• Phylogenomic Analysis of Wide‐Ranging Least Shrews Refines Conservation Priorities and Supports a Paradigm for Evolution of Biota Spanning Eastern North America and Mesoamerica

  2025cites this paper
• Potential distribution of the weaver ant Oecophylla under current and future climate

  2025cites this paper
• Assessing the impact of climate change on habitat shifts of typical endemic relict trees in China

  2025cites this paper
• Habitat‐Forming Species: Buffers or Amplifiers for Mutualistic Organisms in Response to Climate Change?

  2025cites this paper
• Assessing the impacts of climate changes and human activities on cotton distribution in Xinjiang

  2025cites this paper
• Utilizing Remote Sensing Data for Species Distribution Modeling of Birds in Croatia

  2025cites this paper
• Assessing the climate change impact on Epimedium brevicornu in China with the MaxEnt model

  2025cites this paper
• The spatial shifts and vulnerability assessment of ecological niches under climate change scenarios at the genus level: A case study of Betula, China

  2025cites this paper
• Wild Vanilla and pollinators at risk of spatial mismatch in a changing climate

  2025cites this paper
• How Does Climate Change Influence the Regional Ecological–Social Risks of Harmful Dinoflagellates? A Predictive Study of China's Coastal Waters

  2025influential citation
• MaxEnt Modeling of Future Habitat Shifts of Itea yunnanensis in China Under Climate Change Scenarios

  2025influential citation
• Phylogenomics supports island contribution to metapopulation dynamics in a predominantly continental bird species

  2025influential citation
• Prey Distribution Mapping to Support Conservation Planning

  2025influential citation
• Does macrohabitat differentiation explain patterns of allopatry and sympatry in widely distributed woodland salamanders (Plethodon)?

  2025cites this paper
• Impacts of Climate Change on the Spatial Distribution and Habitat Suitability of Nitraria tangutorum

  2025influential citation
• Climatically suitable areas for Hylobius abietis and Hylobius pales : a global and regional analysis considering economic risks for pine production

  2025cites this paper
• Projected Climate Change Scenarios Spatially Decouple Desert Extrafloral Nectary–Bearing Plant–Ant Interactions

  2025cites this paper
• Climate Change Drives Northwestward Migration of Betula alnoides: A Multi-Scenario MaxEnt Modeling Approach

  2025influential citation
• Filling in the gaps: Distribution of the puff adder Bitis arietans (Merrem, 1820) in central South Africa and Lesotho – an investigation using mainly social media records and species distribution modelling

  2025influential citation
• High‐Resolution GPS Tracking Data Reveal Inter‐Individual and Seasonal Variations in Habitat Selection Strategies by the Critically Endangered African White‐Backed Vulture Gyps africanus in the Hwange Ecosystem of Zimbabwe

  2025cites this paper
• Assessing the impact of climate change on the potential distribution of Keteleeria evelyniana Mast. in southwest China: a Maxent modeling approach

  2025influential citation
• Niche specialization modeling and potential occurrence of pest species within the rice stink bug complex in the Americas: to each his own?

  2025influential citation
• Distribution Patterns of Platycodon grandiflorus From the Last Interglacial Period to the Future by Ecological Niche Modeling

  2025cites this paper
• Breeding Habitat Suitability Modeling to Inform Management Practices for the European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) in NE Greece

  2025cites this paper
• Long‐Term Human Land‐Use Change Throughout Southeast Asia Reshapes the Distribution of Suitable Habitat for a Human‐Commensal Bird Species

  2025influential citation
• Differential temperature adaptation mechanisms in the High Arctic-adapted Cerastium regelii Ostenf. and the widespread Stellaria longipes Goldie

  2025cites this paper
• From Ecological Niche to Conservation Planning; Climate‐Driven Range Dynamics of Ephedra intermedia in Central Asia

  2025cites this paper
• Climate Change Increases Public Health Risks from Tityus Scorpion Stings in Brazil.

  2025cites this paper
• Climatic suitability and potential distribution of earleaf acacia and its candidate biological control agent Trichilogaster sp

  2025cites this paper
• Spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological plantations of Camellia sinensis var. assamica: Synergistic effects of climate change and policy constraints in Yunnan, China

  2025cites this paper
• A multi-scale environmental niche model for the Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus

  2025influential citation
• 3D ecological niche models outperform 2D in predicting coelacanth (Latimeria spp.) habitat

  2025cites this paper
• Predicting the potential distribution of major marine mammals in the Cosmonaut Sea

  2025cites this paper
• Modeling urban wasp nest occurrences using 119 fire service reports, LiDAR, and hyperspectral imagery: The role of green spaces and structural factors.

  2025cites this paper
• Forecasting the Impact of Climate Change on Apis dorsata (Fabricius, 1793) Habitat and Distribution in Pakistan

  2025influential citation
• Global patterns in plant environmental breadths

  2025cites this paper
• Climate Change Drives the Adaptive Distribution of Arundinella setosa in China

  2025cites this paper
• Distribution Shifts of Acanthaster solaris Under Climate Change and the Impact on Coral Reef Habitats

  2025cites this paper
• Identifying areas and centers of endemism in the Gran Chaco with Fabaceae as a diversity indicator

  2025cites this paper
• Differences in predictions of marine species distribution models based on expert maps and opportunistic occurrences

  2025influential citation
• Potentially suitable areas for Ricania speculum (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) in China under climate change

  2025influential citation
• EcoNicheS: enhancing ecological niche modeling, niche overlap and connectivity analysis using the shiny dashboard and R package

  2025cites this paper
• Evaluating adaptability of early cereal consumption during Holocene climate fluctuation: Integrated insights from macro-botanical remains, fossil pollen records and species distribution modeling in northern China

  2025cites this paper
• Genomic Signatures of Environmental Adaptation in Castanopsis hainanensis (Fagaceae)

  2025cites this paper
• Integrating Spatially‐Explicit and Genetic Analyses to Identify Conservation Priorities for Bufo eichwaldi (Amphibia: Anura) in the Hyrcanian Forest

  2025cites this paper
• Phylogenetic relationships versus environmental impacts on the distribution and traits of Laureae (Lauraceae) species within and outside karst tiankengs.

  2025cites this paper
• Lumping and Splitting of Distribution Models Across a Biogeographic Divide Informs the Conservation of an Imperiled Fluvial Fish

  2025influential citation
• Dynamic interplay between niche variation and flight adaptability drove a hundred million years’ dispersion in iconic lacewings

  2025cites this paper
• Climate-Driven Shifts in the Distribution of Valonia Oak from the Last Glaciation to the Antropocene

  2025cites this paper
• Assessing the potential global distribution of Monochamus sutor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under the influence of climate change and human activities based on Maximum Entropy model.

  2025cites this paper
• On the path to cosmopolitanism: the continuing geographic expansion of Caprella mutica (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

  2025cites this paper
• Genetic basis of an adaptive polymorphism controlling butterfly silver iridescence.

  2025cites this paper
• Forest maturation and its drivers on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

  2025cites this paper
• Distribution patterns and climatic responses of Macrophthalmus banzai and Macrophthalmus japonicus in East Asia (Ocypodoidea: Macrophthalmidae).

  2025cites this paper
• PREDICTING THE CURRENT AND FUTURE DISTRIBUTION OF THE BAMBOO LEAF ROLLER (ALGEDONIA COCLESALIS) IN CHINA USING THE MAXENT MODEL: IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR HABITAT SUITABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION SHIFTS

  2025cites this paper
• Prediction of Potential Distribution and Response of Changium smyrnioides to Climate Change Based on Optimized MaxEnt Model

  2025cites this paper