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Species distribution models are commonly used in basic and applied ecological research to examine the factors driving the distribution and abundance of organisms. They are employed to quantify species' relationships with abiotic conditions, to predict species' response to land-use and climatic change, and to identify potential conservation areas. Biotic interactions have been rarely included in traditional species distribution models, wherein joint species distribution models (JSDMs) emerge as a feasible approach to simultaneously incorporate environmental factors and interspecific interactions, making it a powerful tool for analyzing the structure and assembly of biotic communities. Generally, the JSDMs are based on species distribution models (SDMs), with the abundance or occurrence of multiple species as response variables and environmental factors, species associations and species traits being incorporated in the modeling framework. These models commonly use generalized linear regression methods (GLM) to relate multivariate response to environmental variables, and capture species associations in the form of random effects. The limitation has been overcome by the introduction of latent variable models (LVMs). Typically, the model parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation or Bayesian methods implemented by Laplace Approximation and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations, respectively. In this review, the generation and theoretical basis of JSDMs were summarized. The characteristics of different types of JSDMs and their applications in modern ecology were emphatically introduced. The problems and prospects of JSDMs were discussed. With the in-depth study of the relationship between environmental factors and multi-species interactions, JSDMs would be the focus of future studies of species distribution model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Many boreal forest saproxylic beetles strongly associated with a single tree species. • Oaks (Quercus sp.) in particular harbor many red-listed species. • Most saproxylic beetles are also associated with near-natural, vs. managed, forests. • Tree species is a better predictor of beetle communities than forest management. Wood-living beetles make up a large proportion of forest biodiversity and contribute to important ecosystem services, including decomposition. Beetle communities in managed southern boreal forests are less species rich than in natural and near-natural forest stands. In addition, many beetle species rely primarily on specific tree species. Yet, the associations between individual beetle species, forest management category, and tree species are seldom quantified, even for red-listed beetles. We compiled a beetle capture dataset from flight intercept traps placed on Norway spruce (Picea abies), oak (Quercus sp.), and Eurasian aspen (Populus tremulae) trees in 413 sites in mature managed forest, near-natural forest, and clear-cuts in southeastern Norway. We used joint species distribution models to estimate the strength of associations for 368 saproxylic beetle species (including 20 vulnerable, endangered, or critical red-listed species) for each forest management category and tree species. Tree species on which traps were mounted had the largest effect on beetle communities; oaks had the most highly associated beetle species, including most of the red-listed species, followed by Norway spruce and Eurasian aspen. Most beetle species were more likely to be captured in near-natural than in mature managed forest. Our estimated associations were compatible – for many species – with categorical classifications found in several existing databases of saproxylic beetle preferences. These quantitative beetle-habitat associations will improve future analyses that have typically relied on categorical classifications. Our results highlight the need to prioritize conservation of near-natural forests and oak trees in Scandinavia to protect the habitat of many red-listed species in particular. Furthermore, we underline the importance of carefully considering the species of trees on which traps are mounted in order to representatively sample beetle communities in forest stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]