气候变化对中国近海8种中上层鱼类潜在生境分布的影响

随着底层和近底层渔业资源的衰退,海洋中上层鱼类在我国海洋捕捞业中逐渐占据重要的地位。预测气候变化情景下中上层经济鱼类的潜在生境分布及其变化规律,可为应对气候变化的鱼类栖息地保护和渔业生态系统管理提供重要科学依据。采用物种分布模型模拟并预测现状及2050年两种气候变化情景下8种中上层经济鱼类在中国近海的潜在分布,通过分布区的收缩-扩张情形和质心迁移距离定量分析气候变化对鱼类空间分布格局的影响。结果表明：(1)模型预测结果良好,各组模型的AUC值均高于0.85,影响目标鱼类潜在分布的主要驱动因子为海水表层温度和溶解氧;(2)8种中上层经济鱼类中,羽鳃鲐(Rastrelliger kanagurta)、鳓鱼(Ilisha elongata)等种类生境分布偏南,气候变化情景下分布北界可扩展至长江口,而鳀鱼(Engraulis japonicus)、青鳞小沙丁鱼(Sardinella zunasi)等种类主要分布在我国北方海域,气候变化情景下生境南缘边界退缩明显;(3)整体来看RCP8.5情景下的空间分布变化率大于RCP2.6情景,其中蓝圆鲹(Decapterus maruadsi)、青鳞小沙丁...     

四川省岷江冷杉对气候变化的响应及其潜在分布格局

四川省是我国气候变化的敏感区之一,区域气候的暖干化趋势严重影响植物物种组成与分布。岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)作为我国特有种,其分布的动态变化对气候变化具有十分重要的指示作用。基于现有岷江冷杉分布数据、气候、土壤、地形等环境因子,运用最大熵模型(MaxEnt)预测当代气候条件下岷江冷杉潜在分布区,并分析未来时期(2050s和2070s)不同气候变化情景下(RCP2.6、RCP4.5和RCP8.5)岷江冷杉潜在适生分布区,筛选影响岷江冷杉分布的主导环境因子及阈值,探讨岷江冷杉分布对气候变化的响应机制。结果表明：(1)当前岷江冷杉的高适生区集中分布于岷江流域上游地区,在未来两个时期岷江冷杉潜在中、高适生区的面积较当代气候条件下适生区面积均有所增加,且适生区总体向四川南部扩张,北部适宜生境丧失。(2)岷江冷杉潜在中适生区在低排放浓度下(RCP2.6)面积占比最高,而潜在高适生区在高排放浓度下(RCP8.5)的面积占比最高。(3)影响岷江冷杉分布的主要环境因子分别是：降水季节性变异系数、气温年变化幅度、年降水量和海拔(累计贡献>70%)。适宜岷江冷杉潜在分布的环境条件是气温...     

气候变化对东北濒危动物驼鹿潜在生境的影响

气候变化是造成生物多样性下降和物种灭绝的主要因素之一。研究气候变化对物种生境,尤其是濒危物种生境影响对未来保护物种多样性和保持生态系统功能完整性具有重要意义。以驼鹿乌苏里亚种(Alces alces cameloides)为研究对象,选取了对驼鹿分布可能存在影响的22个环境因子,利用最大熵(Maxent)模型模拟了驼鹿基准气候条件下在我国东北的潜在生境分布,并预测了RCP4.5和RCP8.5两种气候变化情景下2041—2060年(2050s)、2061—2080年(2070s)驼鹿潜在分布,采用接收工作曲线下面积(AUC)对模型预测能力进行评估。研究结果表明:最大熵模型预测驼鹿潜在生境分布的精度较高(平均AUC值为0.845),22个环境因子中,年均温、最暖季均温、年降水、平均日较差是影响驼鹿生境分布的主要因子。基准气候条件下,驼鹿的潜在生境面积占研究区域总面积的36.4%,潜在生境分布区主要在大、小兴安岭。随着时间的推移,研究区内驼鹿当前潜在生境面积明显减少,而新增潜在生境面积较少,总面积呈现急剧减少的趋势,其中RCP8.5情景减少程度大于RCP4.5情景。至2050s阶段,当前潜在生境面积平均将减少62.3%,新增潜在分布面积平均仅为3.6%,总潜在生境面积最高将减少65.6%,平均将减少58.8%;至2070s阶段,当前潜在生境面积平均将减少75.8%,新增潜在分布面积平均仅为1.9%,总潜在生境面积最高将减少93.1%,平均减少73.9%。空间分布上,驼鹿的潜在生境的几何中心将先向西北移动,然后再向高纬度地区西南方向迁移,至2050s阶段,潜在分布生境的几何中心在RCP4.5和RCP8.5情景下的迁移距离分别为183.5 km和210.8 km;至2070s阶段,相应情景下的迁移距离将缩短至28.7 km和33.8 km。潜在生境分布整体呈现向高海拔、高纬度迁移的趋势。     

东北地区5个物种潜在栖息地变化与优化保护规划

气候变化广泛影响着物种多样性及其分布变迁。优化模型模拟结果,获取气候变化影响下的优先保护区域将为制定应对气候变化的物种保护政策或行动提供理论依据,提升保护绩效。选取东北地区五种代表性动物,包括黑熊(Ursus thibetanus)、驼鹿(Alces alces)、水獭(Lutra lutra)、紫貂(Martes zibellina)及黑嘴松鸡(Tetrao parvirostris);结合最大熵模型(Maxent)模拟在不同RCP情景下未来3个年代(2030s,2050s,2070s)的物种潜在栖息地。根据九个常用气候模式的评价结果,获取东北地区合适的气候模式,了解气候变化对物种潜在栖息地的影响,同时开展物种保护规划,识别保护空缺,为应对气候变化、保持生物多样性提供支持。结果显示,在气候变化背景下物种潜在栖息地面积整体呈现下降趋势,但不同气候模式之间存在差异;评价结果推荐CCSM4、Nor ESM1-M、Had GEM2-AO及GFDL-CM3气候模式,推荐在东北地区使用以上气候模式进行物种未来潜在分布的研究。5个物种潜在栖息地平均面积变化率分别为-62.16%,-73.93%,-78.46%(2030s,2050s,2070s)。综合5个重点保护物种的保护优先区,大兴安岭的呼中、汗马与额尔古纳国家级自然保护区,延边地区的天佛指山、老爷岭东北虎、珲春东北虎与汪清原麝国家级自然保护区,长白山国家级自然保护区是气候变化下物种保护的热点区域。     

气候变化情境下入侵植物紫茉莉在中国的适生分布格局及早期预警

阐明全球气候变化背景下入侵植物的分布格局变迁,对入侵植物的治理与防控具有重要的理论和实践意义。本研究以紫茉莉(Mirabilis japala)为对象,运用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型,基于全国范围内228个分布点和13个主要环境气候因子(来源于WorldClim的19个环境气候数据),模拟分析影响紫茉莉分布的主要环境因子,结合ArcMap软件分析当前和未来(2050s、2070s)3种气候情景下(RCP2.6、RCP4.5、RCP8.5)紫茉莉的适生区分布格局及变化规律。结果表明：MaxEnt模型预测结果准确度极高,训练集和测试集AUC值分别为0.983和0.980,影响紫茉莉分布的主要环境因子为最暖季度降水量;当前气候条件下,紫茉莉的适生面积429.06万km²,占我国国土的44.52%,除新疆外其余省份均有分布;未来3种气候情境下,紫茉莉潜在分布区整体呈现“南缩北扩”现象,适生区总面积增加,吉林南部、黑龙江南部以及内蒙古东南区域为主要扩张区域,分布质心向东北方向的高纬度地区迁移。因此,在全球气候变化情景下,紫茉莉在我国的适生区域增加并向北扩张。黑龙江和内蒙古以...     

气候变化下中国潜在植被演替及其敏感性

潜在植被的研究能够真实反映气候条件对植被形态变化的影响,是植被-环境分类与关系研究的起点,也是全球变化与陆地生态系统研究的关键,对区域植被生态的恢复和重建具有重要的指导意义。本研究基于综合顺序分类系统,对过去30年(1986—2015年)和IPCC5发布的RCP4.5情景下未来3个时期(2030s、2050s和2080s)潜在植被的空间分布进行了GIS模拟,并分析了潜在植被对气候变化响应的敏感性。结果表明:(1)中国分布的潜在植被类型数量及各类在不同时期所占比例均存在差异,同时炎热极干热带荒漠类(VIIA)为各个时期共同缺失的潜在植被类型。(2)潜在植被的分布面积整体上呈现出冷干型潜在植被类型面积逐渐减少、暖湿型潜在植被类型面积逐渐增加的趋势,具体表现为扩展型、缩减型和波动型3类;潜在植被类组的重心发生了不同方向、不同距离的移动变化。(3)中国潜在植被对气候变化的响应存在敏感性差异,其空间分布形态总体呈现出不同敏感性程度的区域相间分布的特点。敏感性高的区域、敏感性较高的区域和敏感性较低的区域分别占国土总面积的2.28%、14.39%和43.82%。     

气候变化对黄腹角雉潜在栖息地的影响

气候变化直接影响物种赖以生存的栖息地环境条件,进而影响物种的分布、数量和存活率。基于优化后最大熵(MaxEnt)模型预测气候变化下黄腹角雉(Tragopan caboti)过去、当前、未来时期的潜在栖息地格局。结果表明,降水量、温度、海拔是栖息地的主要影响因子。当前时期适宜栖息地面积较过去时期下降24.69%;未来2041—2060年间,共享社会经济路径(SSP)3-7.0与SSP5-8.5情景下黄腹角雉适宜栖息地面积较当前时期分别下降55.19%、58.10%。浙江、江西和福建是当前以及未来黄腹角雉核心适宜栖息地,适宜栖息地面积呈现下降的趋势,并往高纬度区域移动。     

全球气候变化下贵州省青冈林的潜在生境动态

为了解贵州省青冈林在全球气候变化下的潜在分布特征,基于现状分布数据,结合当前气候数据和未来气候变化情景(RCP8.5情景,2070-2099年)构建Maxent潜在分布模型,预测贵州省青冈林的潜在分布变化。结果表明,最冷季均温(bio11)、最冷月最低温度(bio6)和年均降水量(bio12)为控制贵州省青冈林潜在生境的主导气候因子;RCP8.5情景下贵州省青冈林的潜在分布面积相较当前气候条件增加,中度适宜生境增加19 419 km2,高度适宜生境增加9 944 km2;中度适宜生境平均海拔较当前气候条件上升126 m,高度适宜生境平均上升85 m。总的来说,贵州省青冈林对全球气候变化的响应不十分敏感。     

气候变化条件下太平洋丽龟的适宜生境及其变化

太平洋丽龟作为被国际自然保护联盟(IUCN)认定的脆弱物种,近年来备受关注。为了解当前及未来气候情景条件下太平洋丽龟的分布及其变化,本研究利用其发现记录和8个环境预测变量(包括深度、离岸距离、平均初级生产力、最小初级生产力、海表平均温度、海表最小温度、海表平均盐度、海表最小盐度),构建了组合物种分布模型(Ensemble SDM)对其潜在栖息地分布进行预测,并利用曲线下面积(AUC)和真实技巧统计(TSS)值评估模型的准确性。结果表明：AUC和TSS值分别为0.96和0.81,表明组合模型具有较好的预测性能;海洋表面温度和盐度是决定太平洋丽龟分布最重要的两个预测变量,适宜温度为23～29℃,适宜盐度<34;当前环境条件下太平洋丽龟分布范围在30°N—25°S;在未来气候情景条件下,该物种的分布范围将减少,特别是在2100s RCP85气候情境下,其适宜生存范围将减少28%。模型验证结果显示,模型准确性较高,能对太平洋丽龟在当前和未来气候情景下的分布做出较为准确的预测。本研究可为制定更加合理的保护措施和管理策略提供数据参考。     

杂交黄颡鱼与普通黄颡鱼幼鱼生长性能及耐低氧能力的比较

实验以杂交黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)和普通黄颡鱼幼鱼为实验对象, 拟通过8周的投喂生长和低氧胁迫实验, 比较研究杂交黄颡鱼与普通黄颡鱼的生长性能及耐低氧抗逆性。投喂生长实验: 经过8周的养殖, 杂交黄颡鱼平均体重为(19.60±0.88) g/尾, 显著高于普通黄颡鱼平均体重为(15.74±0.42) g/尾(P<0.05), 杂交黄颡鱼幼鱼较普通黄颡鱼幼鱼体重生长快24.52%; 杂交黄颡鱼幼鱼存活率为(87.78±1.92)%, 显著高于普通黄颡鱼幼鱼存活率(67.78±1.92)% (P<0.05), 杂交黄颡鱼幼鱼比普通黄颡鱼幼鱼存活率高 29.51%; 杂交黄颡鱼的饲料系数为1.18±0.14, 普通黄颡鱼饲料系数为1.36±0.21。低氧胁迫实验: 同时将杂交黄颡鱼和普通黄颡鱼置于在溶氧量(1.48 ± 0.27) mg/L的水体中, 分别在低氧胁迫0、6h、12h和24h后, 检测血清和肝脏中抗氧化酶活性以及脑和肝脏中缺氧诱导基因(HIF-1α)的相对表达量发现: 杂交黄颡鱼和普通黄颡鱼血清和肝脏中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在低氧胁迫后 6h以及总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)在低氧胁迫后 12h较低氧胁迫 0均出现显著性变化(P<0.05)且在低氧胁迫6h、12h和24h杂交黄颡鱼抗氧化酶活性均高于普通黄颡鱼; 杂交黄颡鱼和普通黄颡鱼脑和肝脏中缺氧诱导基因(HIF-1α)的相对表达量均在低氧胁迫后出现显著性上升(P<0.05)且在低氧胁迫6h、12h和 24h杂交黄颡鱼缺氧诱导基因(HIF-1α)的相对表达量均高于普通黄颡鱼。从无氧代谢能力、抗氧化能力以及缺氧诱导基因相对表达量3方面分析表明杂交黄颡鱼和黄颡鱼低氧胁迫短时间均具有一定的低氧耐受能力但随着胁迫时间延长均会出现氧化损伤且杂交黄颡鱼的耐低氧能力要显著性高于普通黄颡鱼。     

Assessing the climate change effects on the distribution pattern of the Azerbaijan Mountain Newt (Neurergus crocatus)

Climate change is a grave danger for humans and a looming threat to Earth's biodiversity in the twenty-first century. Assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change is critical for practical conservation efforts. Due to their limited dispersal ability, amphibians are one of the most vulnerable groups of vertebrates to climate change. Among them, the species that inhabit mountains suffer a tremendous amount of climate change-induced pressures. We, therefore, adopted the Azerbaijan Mountain Newt (Neurergus crocatus), which currently inhabits Northwest Iran, North Iraq, and Southeast Turkey, as a case study for assessing the effects of climate change on the distribution patterns of mountain amphibians. By applying the species distribution models (SDMs) in this study, we tried to hindcast the species distribution area in the past and illustrate the impacts of climate change on its distribution in the present and future (the 2050s and 2070s) climate conditions. Also, the patch metrics have been deployed for identifying habitat fragmentation. Our results indicate a more than 50% rise in the species’ current suitable habitats compared to its glacial refugia. The suitable habitat is expected to gradually decrease in RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5. Among the three countries in which the species occurs, its distribution overlaps with protected areas only in Iraq. The number of habitat patches will grow and reach approximately 20 to 60 patches by 2070 and the average area of the patches will decrease throughout this time. Aside from the numerous threats that endanger the species, climate change puts the long-term existence of Azerbaijan Newt in jeopardy. The results of this study stress the urgent need for taking extreme measures on the species management and conserving its remnant habitat patches.     

气候变化对中国马可波罗盘羊适宜生境的潜在影响

气候变化可能造成生物多样性下降和物种灭绝。开展气候变化对濒危野生动物分布格局影响的研究,对识别野生动物优先保护区、制定相关保护策略具有重要价值。本研究基于2017—2018年在新疆塔什库尔干野生动物自然保护区野外调查获得的马可波罗盘羊(Ovis ammon polii)分布位点,采用最大熵模型预测了气候变化下其适宜生境分布格局动态。结果表明: 马可波罗盘羊当前的适宜生境主要分布于保护区西北部,温度是影响其适宜生境分布的关键因子。在中、高排放浓度(RCP4.5和RCP8.5)下,未来2050s和2070s两个时期马可波罗盘羊的适宜生境面积主要呈下降趋势,适宜生境丧失率高达40.5%;丧失的适宜生境主要位于低海拔区域,高海拔区域的适宜生境面积相应增加;由低海拔向高海拔转移的适宜生境面积随温室气体排放浓度升高而增加。从质心转移结果来看,其适宜生境主要向西(即马可波罗盘羊主要分布国塔吉克斯坦)迁移。     

Invasive fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov.) increases its potential area of distribution in Tenerife island under future climatic scenarios

Mapping the distribution of invasive species under current and future climate conditions is crucial to implement sustainable and effective conservation strategies. Several studies showed how invasive species may benefit from climate change fostering their invasion rate and, consequently, affecting the native species community. In the Canary Islands and on Tenerife in particular, previous research mostly focused on climate change impacts on the native communities, whereas less attention has been paid on alien species distribution under climate change scenarios. In this study, we modelled the habitat distribution of Pennisetum setaceum, one of the most invasive alien species on Tenerife. In addition, we described the species’ potential distribution shift in the light of two climate change scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP8.5), highlighting the areas that should be prioritized during management and eradication programs. P. setaceum’s suitable areas are located in the coastal area, with higher habitat suitability near cities and below 800 m asl. In both future climate change scenarios, the geographic distribution of P. setaceum suitable areas is characterized by an elevational shift, which is more pronounced in the RCP8.5 scenario. Despite being drought resistant, water supply is crucial for the species’ seed germination, thus supporting future species’ shift to higher elevation and in the north–north–west part of the island, where it could benefit from the combined effect of orographic precipitations and humidity carried by trade winds.

     

Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) distribution evolution under climate change: The use of species distribution models at a local scale in the western Pyrenees massif (France)

The Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) is a social mammal living in mountainous grassland areas and has the particularity to hibernate in winter. Recent studies on a population in the French Alps found that climate change is affecting Alpine marmot population dynamics and might impact their overall distribution in the future. Using Species Distribution Models (SDMs), the effect of climate change on Alpine marmot's future distribution was investigated at a local scale, in the western part of the Pyrenean massif (New-Aquitaine region, France). This scale was chosen as an appropriate action scale for the conservation strategy for the species. Three climatic scenarios were used (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5) over three future 30-year periods (2021–2050, 2040–2070, 2071–2100) to predict the short- to long-term potential distribution of the target species. The results are consistent with naturalistic knowledge of the species´ ecological needs in terms of variable importance and response type. Mean maximum temperature in winter, standard-deviation of daily temperature in winter, along with the median rainfall amount in summer were the three most important climatic variables. Predictions under the two most pessimistic climate scenarios showed potential large habitat loss. In the long term, for RCP 4.5, an estimated habitat loss of 18% was predicted. In the case of RCP 8.5, a higher impact was predicted, with a 54% habitat loss. Our results show that high impact due to climate change can be expected at a long term. In addition, if winter climatic conditions are important for marmot survival through hibernation, drought in summer might be one of the drivers of future population dynamic and distribution. Our findings can be applied for other species living in grassland mountainous environments and for which access to food resources in summer is essential, facilitating the conservation of target areas.     

Coral Reef Habitat Response to Climate Change Scenarios

Coral reef ecosystems are threatened by both climate change and direct anthropogenic stress. Climate change will alter the physico-chemical environment that reefs currently occupy, leaving only limited regions that are conducive to reef habitation. Identifying these regions early may aid conservation efforts and inform decisions to transplant particular coral species or groups. Here a species distribution model (Maxent) is used to describe habitat suitable for coral reef growth. Two climate change scenarios (RCP4.5, RCP8.5) from the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Community Earth System Model were used with Maxent to determine environmental suitability for corals (order Scleractinia). Environmental input variables best at representing the limits of suitable reef growth regions were isolated using a principal component analysis. Climate-driven changes in suitable habitat depend strongly on the unique region of reefs used to train Maxent. Increased global habitat loss was predicted in both climate projections through the 21^st century. A maximum habitat loss of 43% by 2100 was predicted in RCP4.5 and 82% in RCP8.5. When the model is trained solely with environmental data from the Caribbean/Atlantic, 83% of global habitat was lost by 2100 for RCP4.5 and 88% was lost for RCP8.5. Similarly, global runs trained only with Pacific Ocean reefs estimated that 60% of suitable habitat would be lost by 2100 in RCP4.5 and 90% in RCP8.5. When Maxent was trained solely with Indian Ocean reefs, suitable habitat worldwide increased by 38% in RCP4.5 by 2100 and 28% in RCP8.5 by 2050. Global habitat loss by 2100 was just 10% for RCP8.5. This projection suggests that shallow tropical sites in the Indian Ocean basin experience conditions today that are most similar to future projections of worldwide conditions. Indian Ocean reefs may thus be ideal candidate regions from which to select the best strands of coral for potential re-seeding efforts.     

西南地区红花龙胆分布格局模拟与气候变化影响评价

应用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型,基于230条分布记录及33个气候因子数据,模拟全新世中期(约6000年前)、当前时期(1950—2000年)和未来(2050s、2070s)气候条件下,红花龙胆西南地区的潜在分布范围;结合多元统计分析和ArcGIS空间分析,筛选影响物种分布的关键气候因子,探讨不同分布区对气候变化的敏感性.结果表明: 模型训练集AUC值为0.942,验证集AUC值为0.849,表明模型预测的准确性较高.5个气候因子(7月最高气温、8月最低气温、昼夜温差与年温差比值、7月最低气温和6月最低气温)对模型贡献最大,累计贡献率达59.9%.随未来气候变化,红花龙胆适生区将呈现先减少后增加的变化趋势,在RCP 8.5情景下,至2070s阶段,西南地区红花龙胆适宜生境总面积与当前气候条件相比减少15.0%,但云南境内适生区和高适生区面积较当前分别增加32.8%和32.7%.红花龙胆适宜生长于温暖、湿润的气候条件下,气候变暖明显影响着适宜生境的面积和范围,尤其低海拔分布区对气候变化较敏感,适宜生境退缩严重,而高海拔地区由于降水、温度条件的改善适宜生境有所增加.随着全球气候的变化,未来西南地区红花龙胆主要分布区可能向西迁移,并向更高海拔扩张.     

Predicting impacts of climate change on habitat connectivity of Kalopanax septemlobus in South Korea

Understanding the drivers of habitat distribution patterns and assessing habitat connectivity are crucial for conservation in the face of climate change. In this study, we examined a sparsely distributed tree species, Kalopanax septemlobus (Araliaceae), which has been heavily disturbed by human use in temperate forests of South Korea. We used maximum entropy distribution modeling (MaxEnt) to identify the climatic and topographic factors driving the distribution of the species. Then, we constructed habitat models under current and projected climate conditions for the year 2050 and evaluated changes in the extent and connectivity of the K. septemlobus habitat. Annual mean temperature and terrain slope were the two most important predictors of species distribution. Our models predicted the range shift of K. septemlobus toward higher elevations under medium-low and high emissions scenarios for 2050, with dramatic reductions in suitable habitat (51% and 85%, respectively). In addition, connectivity analysis indicated that climate change is expected to reduce future levels of habitat connectivity. Even under the Representative Construction Pathway (RCP) 4.5 medium-low warming scenario, the projected climate conditions will decrease habitat connectivity by 78%. Overall, suitable habitats for K. septemlobus populations will likely become more isolated depending on the severity of global warming. The approach presented here can be used to efficiently assess species and habitat vulnerability to climate change.     

Impact of Climate Change on Potential Distribution of Chinese Caterpillar Fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in Nepal Himalaya

Climate change has already impacted ecosystems and species and substantial impacts of climate change in the future are expected. Species distribution modeling is widely used to map the current potential distribution of species as well as to model the impact of future climate change on distribution of species. Mapping current distribution is useful for conservation planning and understanding the change in distribution impacted by climate change is important for mitigation of future biodiversity losses. However, the current distribution of Chinese caterpillar fungus, a flagship species of the Himalaya with very high economic value, is unknown. Nor do we know the potential changes in suitable habitat of Chinese caterpillar fungus caused by future climate change. We used MaxEnt modeling to predict current distribution and changes in the future distributions of Chinese caterpillar fungus in three future climate change trajectories based on representative concentration pathways (RCPs: RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 6.0) in three different time periods (2030, 2050, and 2070) using species occurrence points, bioclimatic variables, and altitude. About 6.02% (8,989 km²) area of the Nepal Himalaya is suitable for Chinese caterpillar fungus habitat. Our model showed that across all future climate change trajectories over three different time periods, the area of predicted suitable habitat of Chinese caterpillar fungus would expand, with 0.11–4.87% expansion over current suitable habitat. Depending upon the representative concentration pathways, we observed both increase and decrease in average elevation of the suitable habitat range of the species.