Known distribution of Uruguayan amphibians and environmental predictors

Fuzzy logic modeling was employed to assess the distribution of amphibians
in Uruguay using both expert knowledge and observational records. Fuzzy
logic allowed for the assignment of continuous values between 0 and 1 to
propositions based on fuzzy logical assumptions about the relationship
between species and their environment. Models based on expert knowledge
and species records were compared and combined, focusing on threatened
species, those considered ubiquitous, and non-threatened/non-ubiquitous
species. Results demonstrated equal or superior performance for threatened
species according to expert knowledge compared to models based on species
records, even when both had to classify the same set of records. Expert
models predicted more restrictive favorable territories for threatened
species. On the other hand, models based on observed records yielded the
best-fitted models for non-threatened non-ubiquitous species and
ubiquitous species. In summary, fuzzy logic proved to be an effective tool
for integrating expert knowledge and observational records in species
distribution modeling.