Mopane (Colophospermum mopane): A potential winner under climate change in southern Africa

Distribution and abundance under climate change of particularly non-timber forest product tree species is vital since they sustain many livelihoods, especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to determine the current and future natural range of mopane (Colophospermum mopane (J. Kirk ex Benth.) J. Léonard, Fabaceae), a dominant tree species in mopane woodlands of southern Africa. An ensemble model was built in ‘biomod2’ from eight algorithms and used to estimate the current and future distribution. Seven bioclimatic variables and 269 occurrence records were used to calibrate individual models that were later combined into an ensemble model. The ensemble model was projected to two time periods, 2041–2060 and 2081–2100, under two shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs), SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, and three general circulation models (GCMs). The ensemble model showed high performance (KAPPA = 0.770, ROC = 0.961, TSS = 0.792, ACCURACY = 0.900). A map of the current distribution shows occurrence predominantly in low-lying areas, including the Zambezi, Save and Limpopo valleys, Okavango and Cuvelai basins, and in southern and central Mozambique. Projection maps show expansion under all SSPs, GCMs and time periods. Averaged across GCMs in 2041–2060, the range expanded by 22.37% under SSP2-4.5, and by 19.94% under SSP5-8.5. In 2081–2100, the range expanded by 20.43% under SSP2-4.5, and by 27.62% under SSP5-8.5. Notably, the range expansion was highest under SSP5-8.5, an SSP that envisages unmitigated greenhouse gas release and the largest mean global temperature increase. It is highly likely that mopane is not directly threatened by climate change. Indirect climate change threats, however, remain uncertain.     

Prediction of potential distribution of soybean in the frigid region in China with MaxEnt modeling

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the most important grains and oil-producing plants grown in China. Understanding the potential suitable characteristics of areas where soybean is grown and predicting its potential habitat under different climate scenarios are a significant part of ensuring food security. This study compiled 65 occurrence locations of soybean and 32 environmental variables obtained from the WorldClim database. Nine environmental variables were selected for model training. We identified potential suitable distribution areas for soybean in the frigid region and predicted changes in its geographical distribution under four shared socioeconomic pathways, SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, SSP3–7.0, and SSP5–8.5, for the periods from 2021 to 2040, 2041 to 2060, 2061 to 2080, and 2081 to 2100 using the MaxEnt model. The results showed that annual mean temperature, elevation, and April solar radiation were the dominant factors affecting the distribution of soybean, contributing 48.8%, 17.9%, and 15.7% of the variability in the data, respectively. Highly suitable habitats (defined as having a suitability variable P of 0.66–1.0) for the current conditions included the Songnen and Sanjiang plains, covering about 2.36 × 10⁵ km². The total areas of highly (as defined above) and moderately suitable (0.33–0.66) habitats would be reduced under the four climate scenarios. However, the centroids of the highly suitable habitat had a small mobile range under different scenarios. These results along with previous research on the potential distribution of soybean offer useful information; ecological modeling approaches need to be considered in future crop planting management and land use.     

Predicting the impact of future climate changes and range-shifts of Indian hornbills (family: Bucerotidae)

Climate change influences species distribution and is regarded as a major threat to biodiversity. Hornbills (Family: Bucerotidae) are large tropical birds in Asia and Africa. They are seed dispersers known as forest farmers because they help maintain the ecological community structure by allowing forest regeneration. They are keystone species, and their presence in a forest implies a healthy ecosystem. Range shifts due to climate change is a serious threat because their long-term survival is already imperilled by anthropogenic disturbances. This study models the current and future potential climatic niches of eight of the nine hornbill species present in India. We used GBIF-mediated species presence records along with eight WorldClim V2.1 bioclimatic variables to model the current climatically suitable areas and projected it into the future (mid-century, i.e., 2041–60 and end of the century, i.e., 2081–2100) for different CMIP6 based Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSPs) (i.e., SSP126, SSP245, 370 and 585). Range shifts, centroid changes, and the impact of current land use practices for each of the eight species under various climatic conditions were also examined. The Area Under Curve (AUC) values for final models ranged between 0.736 and 0.994. Result indicates that majority of species' climatic niche shift is towards the west, followed by northwest and northern shifts. The species are expected to lose >40% of their suitable present climatic niche under the SSP 585 scenario in 2081–2100. Natural areas were found to be climatically suitable for hornbills throughout the study area, implying the merit of conserving their existing habitats. Our research provides detailed information on how the distribution of Indian Hornbills may change because of future climatic conditions. Detailed spatial and temporal distribution and range shift patterns will aid in a targeted approach for conserving hornbills and their habitat in a changing climate.     

Modeling impacts of climate change on the potential distribution of three endemic Aloe species critically endangered in East Africa

Climate change has had a significant impact on natural ecosystems and endemic species around the world and substantial impacts are expected in the future. As a result, knowing how climate change affects endemic species can help in putting forward the necessary conservation efforts. The use of niche modeling to predict changes in species distributions under different climate change scenarios is becoming a hot topic in biological conservation. This study aimed to use the global circulation model (CMIP5) to model the current distribution of suitable habitat for three critically endangered Aloe species endemic to Kenya and Tanzania in order to determine the impact of climate change on their suitable habitat in the years 2050 and 2070. We used two representative concentration pathways scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) to project the contraction of suitable habitats for Aloe ballyi Reynolds, A. classenii Reynolds, and A. penduliflora Baker. Precipitation, temperature and environmental variables (Potential evapotranspiration, land cover, soil sedimentary and solar radiation) have had a significant impact on the current distribution of all the three species. Although suitable habitat expansion and contraction are predicted for all the species, loss of original suitable habitat is expected to be extensive. Climate change is expected to devastate >44% and 34% of the original habitats of A. ballyi and A. classenii respectively. Based on our findings, we propose that areas predicted to contract due to climate change should be designated as key protection zones for Aloe species conservation.     

美味猕猴桃地理分布模拟与气候变化影响分析

为了解气候变化对美味猕猴桃(Actinidia deliciosa)地理分布的影响,结合气候情景,采用Maxent预测美味猕猴桃的适生区的变化趋势。结果表明,基准气候和未来情景下构建的美味猕猴桃分布模型的AUC值均达到极好的标准。基准气候条件下,美味猕猴桃在中国的适生区为22°~38°N,96°~122°E,总面积为3.367 9×106 km2,高适生区位于秦岭-巴山、四川盆地东部、云贵高原东部、武陵山-巫山、武夷山脉。RCP4.5和RCP8.5情景下,美味猕猴桃在中国的高适生区面积将显著减少,中适生区面积则呈增加趋势,两种情景下高、中质心均向偏南或低纬度方向移动,RCP8.5情景下质心的迁移轨迹最长,变动范围最大。Maxent模型的准确预测对于优化猕猴桃产业结构具有重要指导意义。     

Will climate change favor exotic grasses over native ecosystem engineer species in the Amazon Basin?

Several anthropic disturbances, including deforestation, fires, the building of roads and dams, have intensified in Amazon in last decades. These disturbances contribute to an increase in the occurrence and intensity of extreme events, such as more frequent floods and more severe droughts, due to climate change. Along the Amazonian rivers, aquatic herbaceous plants, mainly of the Poaceae family, are very abundant and produce up to three times more biomass than the adjacent flooded forests, and some are considered ecosystem engineers given their structuring role in these environments. Invasive grasses have spread through the Neotropics and are gradually entering the Amazon via the Arc of Deforestation. These invasive species often attain high coverage, suppress other species, and become dominant in both disturbed and pristine habitats. The aim of this study was to establish the current and future distribution patterns of two native ecosystem engineer species (Echinochloa polystachya and Paspalum fasciculatum) and two invasive species (Urochloa brizantha and Urochloa decumbens) in the Amazon Basin. To predict the future climate, we used three scenarios, namely SSP1–2.6, SSP3–7.0 and SSP5–8.5 for the years 2040, 2080 and 2100, to project climatically suitable areas. The current climatically suitable range for the native ecosystem engineer species was estimated at 33–35% of the Amazon Basin, while the invasive ones have a range of 53–84% in potential climatically suitable areas. A decrease in the areas of suitability of the two ecosystem engineer species, E. polystachya and P. fasciculatum, was observed in all scenarios and years, while only the invasive U. brizantha showed an increase in suitable areas in all years. These results raise concerns about the invasion of grasses with high aggressive potential that could result in the exclusion of native ecosystem engineer species and their ecological roles.     

基于生态位模型的外来入侵种克氏原螯虾在中国的适生区预测

克氏原螯虾在20世纪初作为重要的水产品引入中国,但因其繁殖能力强、生长迅速、适应性强、喜掘洞穴,对农作物、池埂及农田水利有一定破坏作用,降低入侵地区当地物种多样性,对当地生态系统造成严重危害。因此,研究未来气候情景下克氏原螯虾适生区的变化,可为其监控和管理措施提供关键信息,有效预防和控制其蔓延。本研究基于克氏原螯虾的分布点,应用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型和规则集遗传算法(GARP)模型模拟了当前气候条件下克氏原螯虾在中国的潜在适生区,并预测了2041—2060年和2061—2080年克氏原螯虾在4种气候变化情景下(RCP 2.6、RCP 4.5、RCP 6.0、RCP 8.5)的分布,采用ROC曲线对预测结果进行检验和评价。结果表明: 在当前气候条件下克氏原螯虾集中分布在上海、江苏、浙江、安徽等长江沿岸地区;最冷季平均温度、最冷月最低温度对克氏原螯虾分布影响最大,其次是温度季节性变化、最暖月最高温度和最干月降水量。在未来气候情景下,2061—2080年克氏原螯虾的适生区面积有不同程度的变化,在RCP 2.6和RCP 4.5情景下总适生面积增加,但在RCP 8.5情景下呈先增后减趋势,而在RCP 6.0情景下无明显变化;克氏原螯虾适生区在空间分布上不仅有纬度方向上的扩散,也有向海拔较高地区迁移的趋势。     

Response of the endangered tropical dry forests to climate change and the role of Mexican Protected Areas for their conservation

Assuming that co‐distributed species are exposed to similar environmental conditions, ecological niche models (ENMs) of bird and plant species inhabiting tropical dry forests (TDFs) in Mexico were developed to evaluate future projections of their distribution for the years 2050 and 2070. We used ENM‐based predictions and climatic data for two Global Climate Models, considering two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCP4.5/RCP8.5). We also evaluated the effects of habitat loss and the importance of the Mexican system of protected areas (PAs) on the projected models for a more detailed prediction of TDFs and to identify hot spots that require conservation actions. We identified four major distributional areas: the main one located along the Pacific Coast (from Sonora to Chiapas, including the Cape and Bajío regions, and the Balsas river basin), and three isolated areas: the Yucatán peninsula, central Veracruz, and southern Tamaulipas. When considering the effect of habitat loss, a significant reduction (~61%) of the TDFs predicted area occurred, whereas climate‐change models suggested (in comparison with the present distribution model) an increase in area of 3.0–10.0% and 3.0–9.0% for 2050 and 2070, respectively. In future scenarios, TDFs will occupy areas above its current average elevational distribution that are outside of its present geographical range. Our findings show that TDFs may persist in Mexican territory until the middle of the XXI century; however, the challenges about long‐term conservation are partially addressed (only 7% unaffected within the Mexican network of PAs) with the current Mexican PAs network. Based on our ENM approach, we suggest that a combination of models of species inhabiting present TDFs and taking into account change scenarios represent an invaluable tool to create new PAs and ecological corridors, as a response to the increasing levels of habitat destruction and the effects of climate change on this ecosystem.     

Effects of climate change on the distribution of wild Akebia trifoliata

Understanding the impacts and constraints of climate change on the geographical distribution of wild Akebia trifoliata is crucial for its sustainable management and economic development as a medicinal material or fruit. In this study, according to the first‐hand information obtained from field investigation, the distribution and response to climate change of A. trifoliata were studied by the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS. The genetic diversity and population structure of 21 natural populations of A. trifoliata were studied by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results showed that the most important bioclimatic variable limiting the distribution of A. trifoliata was the Mean Temperature of Coldest Quarter (bio11). Under the scenarios SSP1‐2.6 and SSP2‐4.5, the suitable area of A. trifoliata in the world will remain stable, and the suitable area will increase significantly under the scenarios of SSP3‐7.0 and SSP5‐8.5. Under the current climate scenario, the suitable growth regions of A. trifoliata in China were 79.9–122.7°E and 21.5–37.5°N. Under the four emission scenarios in the future, the geometric center of the suitable distribution regions of Akebia trifoliata in China will move to the north. The clustering results of 21 populations of A. trifoliata analyzed by SSR markers showed that they had a trend of evolution from south to north.     

气候变化情景下祁连圆柏在青海省的适宜分布区预测

祁连圆柏具有良好的水土保持功能,是青海省高寒干旱地区造林绿化的优良乡土树种之一,预测未来气候变化情景下祁连圆柏在青海省的潜在地理分布将为祁连圆柏的经营管理和引种栽培提供理论指导。本研究基于实地调查和资料搜集获得88个有效地理分布样点,利用Maxent模型和ArcGIS空间分析技术对当前气候条件下祁连圆柏在青海省的潜在地理分布进行模拟,综合Jackknife检验和相关系数,分析影响祁连圆柏潜在分布的主导限制因子,同时结合第六次国际耦合模式比较计划(CMIP6)的气候模式数据,预测祁连圆柏在3种(SSP126、SSP245、SSP585)气候变化情景下2061—2080年潜在适生区的变化。结果表明:Maxent模型受试者工作特征曲线下面积(AUC)都大于0.92,具有较好的预测能力。在当前气候条件下,祁连圆柏的适宜分布区主要位于青海省东部,总适宜区面积占比为11.2%,影响其地理分布的主导因子是海拔、年均降水量、极端最低温和坡度,累计贡献率为85.9%。未来3种气候情景对祁连圆柏适宜区的影响存在差异,SSP245气候情景的适宜区面积将会缩减,SSP126和SSP585气候情景下则会不同程度地扩张,SSP126气候情景的扩张最明显,其扩张区域主要位于泽库县、河南蒙古族自治县中北部和祁连县东南部地区。在未来3种气候情景下,祁连圆柏适宜分布区逐渐向高海拔地区迁移,但在经纬度方向分布变化较小,适宜区总体稳定。     

Projecting the potential distribution of ticks in China under climate and land use change

Ticks are known as vectors of several pathogens causing various human and animal diseases including Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. While China is known to have more than 100 tick species well distributed over the country, our knowledge on the likely distribution of ticks in the future remains very limited, which hinders the prevention and control of the risk of tick-borne diseases. In this study, we selected four representative tick species which have different regional distribution foci in mainland China. i.e., Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Ixodes granulatus. We used the MaxEnt model to identify the key environmental factors of tick occurrence and map their potential distributions in 2050 under four combined climate and socioeconomic scenarios (i.e., SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP2-RCP4.5, SSP3-RCP7.0 and SSP5-RCP8.5). We found that the extent of the urban fabric, cropland and forest, temperature annual range and precipitation of the driest month were the main determinants of the potential distributions of the four tick species. Under the combined scenarios, with climate warming, the potential distributions of ticks shifted to further north in China. Due to a decrease in the extent of forest, the distribution probability of ticks declined in central and southern China. In contrast with previous findings on an estimated amplification of tick distribution probability under the extreme emission scenario (RCP8.5), our studies projected an overall reduction in the distribution probability under RCP8.5, owing to an expected effect of land use. Our results could provide new data to help identify the emerging risk areas, with amplifying suitability for tick occurrence, for the prevention and control of tick-borne zoonoses in mainland China. Future directions are suggested towards improved quantity and quality of the tick occurrence database, comprehensiveness of factors and integration of different modelling approaches, and capability to model pathogen spillover at the human-tick interface.     

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.

     

未来气候变化对不同国家茶适宜分布区的影响

茶是对气候变化敏感的重要经济作物, 评价全球气候变化对茶分布和生产的影响对相关国家经济发展和茶农的生计至关重要。本研究基于全球858个茶分布点和6个气候因子数据, 利用物种分布模型预测全球茶的潜在适宜分布区及其在2070年的不同温室气体排放情景(RCP2.6和RCP8.5)下的变化。结果表明: 当前茶在五大洲均有适宜分布区, 主要集中在亚洲、非洲和南美洲, 并且最冷季平均温和最暖季降水量主导了茶的分布。预计2070年, 茶的适宜分布区变化在不同的大洲、国家和气候情景间将存在差异。具体来说, 茶的适宜分布区总面积将会减少, 减少的区域主要位于低纬度地区, 而中高纬度地区的适宜分布区将扩张, 由此可能导致茶的适宜分布区向北移动; 重要的产茶国中, 阿根廷、缅甸、越南等茶适宜分布区面积会减少57.8%-95.8%, 而中国和日本的适宜分布面积则会增加2.7%-31.5%。未来全球新增的适宜分布区中, 约有68%的地区土地覆盖类型为自然植被, 因此可能导致新茶树种植园的开垦和自然植被及生物多样性保护产生冲突。     

不同气候条件下沙冬青属植物在我国的潜在分布——基于生态位模型预测

沙冬青属（Ammopiptanthus）植物是古地中海第三纪孑遗濒危物种,包括沙冬青（Ammopiptanthus mgolicus）和矮沙冬青（Ammopiptanthus nanus）,主要分布在我国西北干旱、半干旱地区,其不仅具有较高的研究价值,同时对我国西北干旱地区生态环境具有十分重要的作用。近年来由于全球气候变化及人为干扰等因素,沙冬青属植物天然分布面积骤缩,濒临灭绝。本研究利用MaxEnt模型、Bioclim模型和Domain模型对沙冬青属植物在我国末次间冰期（Last Interglacial）、末次冰盛期（Last Glacial Maximum）、当代和2050年（RCP4.5和RCP8.5）4个时期气候情景下的潜在适生区进行预测。结果表明：MaxEnt模型对沙冬青属植物潜在分布区的预测具有极高的准确度,所有模型的平均受试者工作特征曲线下面积（AUC测试值）均高于0.80。当代沙冬青最佳及高适生区占全国总面积的2.78%,主要集中在内蒙古中部、宁夏北部和甘肃北部等地;未来沙冬青最佳及高适生区在现有分布范围呈现向外扩张的趋势,主要分布在内蒙古鄂托克旗、鄂尔多斯、阿拉善左旗、宁夏吴忠和甘肃民勒县等地。当代矮沙冬青最佳及高适生区占全国总面积的2.23%,主要集中在新疆南部;未来矮沙冬青最佳及高适生区向新疆乌恰县南部、乌鲁木齐北部移动和扩大,主要分布在新疆乌恰县、乌苏市、吐鲁番市和乌鲁木齐市。未来2050年（RCP4.5和RCP8.5）两种气候情景下沙冬青和矮沙冬青的潜在分布总面积均有所增加,与当代相比变化不明显,但不同适生等级的潜在分布面积变化较大,在更高的CO₂排放量（RCP8.5）情景下沙冬青和矮冬青的最佳及高适生区范围的预测结果都将减少。从气候因素角度考虑,研究表明未来气候情景下沙冬青属植物的适生区变化过程中,年均温（Bio1）、最湿月降水量（Bio13）和温度季节性变化（Bio4）是影响沙冬青属植物分布的关键因子,并为我国西北干旱半干旱地区具有重要的经济价值并将持续其生态服务功能。     

Sustainability potential for Ginkgo biloba L. plantations under climate change uncertainty: An ex-situ conservation perspective

G. biloba is native to China and one of the oldest living species. It has high economic value and has been used for medicinal, ornamental and other purposes. The current study sought to assess the potential sustainability of the plantations of the endangered species under climate change scenarios. The sustainability of the existing small wild population and plantations of the species worldwide were evaluated by assessing the changes in the climatic suitability of the areas to be used for the species plantations under different emission scenarios. A survey for the species distribution worldwide showed that it is currently planted in 29 botanic gardens. In Egypt only 31 trees exist in private and public botanic gardens. Propagation and germination experiments have been tested in 4 successive years to assess the effect of climate changes on germination requirements and phenology of the species. Propagation trials showed that seeds that were grown in soil media for 5 months under 25 °C attained high germination rate (>60%). Propagation trials in the nursery by stem cuttings gave promising results (100%) in 2015–2016. Using SDMs approach for assessing the change in the potential climatically suitable areas for the plantations and ex situ conservation of G. biloba under different climate change and emission scenarios, revealed that overall G. biloba is predicted to gain more climatically suitable areas under the four representative concentration pathway scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5), however, a gain in the climatically suitable areas for the species is expected under the low and moderate emission scenarios and a decline is expected under the more warming scenarios. Also, a northwards shift is predicted in the climatic suitability for the plantations of the species. The projected latitudinal shift needs to be considered by mangers of G. biloba plantations. The provided predictions can guide the managers in developing short- and long-term plans for sustaining the plantations of the species under a precipitously changing climate.     

人参潜在地理分布以及气候变化对其影响预测

本文以人参为研究对象,基于人参分布点位数据和22个气候环境因子数据,运用BioMod2平台10个物种分布模型对当前我国东北地区人参潜在生境分布进行预测.以受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)为权重集成10个模型的模拟结果,构建组合模型,并基于该模型预测了IPCC 第五次评估报告中RCP 8.5、RCP 6.0、RCP 4.5和RCP 2.6等4种排放情景下21世纪50和70年代人参潜在分布范围.结果表明: 在基准气候条件下,人参适宜生境面积占研究区总面积的10.4%,此类地区主要分布于研究区东北部长白山地区以及小兴安岭东南部区域的森林地带.在未来不同的排放情景下研究区人参的适宜生境变化显著,总体上分布范围将有一定程度的缩小.同时参与建模的10种模型在统计学精度、预测结果以及变量权重上都有差异.模型精度计算结果表明,MAXENT模拟效果最好,GAM、RF和ANN次之,SRE模拟精度最低.本文构建的组合模型在一定程度上提高了现有物种分布模型的预测精度,从而使模拟效果更优.     

Distribution models for Ascia monuste and the host Brassica oleracea var. capitata

The butterfly Ascia monuste L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a specialist pest of brassica crops in neotropical regions where it significantly impacts crop production. Understanding the actual and potential distribution of the pest and its hosts in current and future climates may help government agencies to mitigate and manage potential incursions. Here, we use MaxEnt algorithm to model the current distribution of both A. monuste and its host, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (cabbage) and then model the likely impact of projected climate change (RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios) on their potential future distributions. While A. monuste is currently restricted to the American continent, we show that under current conditions the potential distribution of both the butterfly and cabbage includes areas of Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe to some extent. The annual temperature range and mean annual temperature were the strongest predictors of the distribution of both species. Under a projected climate change scenario, suitable areas in the tropical climate zone are expected to decrease for both species. However, in temperate regions, the suitable area for cabbage is expected to increase but will remain unsuitable for the pest. Our results highlight the need for strategies to prevent the introduction of A. monuste to other areas of the tropical climate zone and for the development of management practices in the neotropical region.     

Climate change is creating a mismatch between protected areas and suitable habitats for frogs and birds in Puerto Rico

Climate change is altering the spatial distribution of many species around the world. In response, we need to identify and protect suitable areas for a large proportion of the fauna so that they persist through time. This exercise must also evaluate the ability of existing protected areas to provide safe havens for species in the context of climate change. Here, we combined passive acoustic monitoring, semi-automatic species identification models, and species distribution models of 21 bird and frog species based on past (1980–1989), present (2005–2014), and future (2040–2060) climate scenarios to determine how species distributions relate to the current distribution of protected areas in Puerto Rico. Species detection/non-detection data were acquired across?~?700 sampling sites. We developed always-suitable maps that characterized suitable habitats in all three time periods for each species and overlaid these maps to identify regions with high species co-occurrence. These distributions were then compared with the distribution of existing protected areas. We show that Puerto Rico is projected to become dryer by 2040–2060, and precipitation in the warmest quarter was among the most important variables affecting bird and frog distributions. A large portion of always-suitable areas (ASA) is outside of protected areas (>?80%), and the percent of protected areas that overlaps with always-suitable areas is larger for bird (75%) than frog (39%) species. Our results indicate that present protected areas will not suffice to safeguard bird and frog species under climate change; however, the establishment of larger protected areas, buffer zones, and connectivity between protected areas may allow species to find suitable niches to withstand environmental changes.

     

Habitat distribution modeling of endangered medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa (Royle ex Benth) under climate change scenarios in Uttarakhand Himalaya,India

Climate change has been the key factor in changing the alpine vegetation's habitat and causing it to migrate to higher latitudes. The present study aims to model the current and future potential habitat distribution of endangered medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth in Uttarakhand Himalaya using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. We initially select twenty-two environmental variables (bioclimatic + topographic) got from the Fifty-four (54) species occurrence points, which were further reduced to nine variables to prevent multicollinearity. Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1–2.6 and SSP2–4.5) from the CMIP6 (BCC-CSM2-MR) climate model for the periods 2041–60 and 2061–80 were used to predict the current and future habitat distribution of P. kurroa. Results showed that the precipitation of the driest month (Bio 14; 33.8%), isothermality (Bio 3; 20.2%), mean temperature of warmest quarter (Bio 10; 12.7%), and temperature annual range (Bio 7; 12.2%) were the important bioclimatic variables influencing the habitat of P. kurroa. Overall, there is a decrease in the habitat of P. kurroa under climate change scenarios. The present results may prove insightful for the decision-makers to identify suitable sites in the wild for the further propagation of P. kurroa.     

未来气候变化对沙枣适宜分布区的影响预测

气候变化显著影响全球植物物种的地理分布,了解未来气候变化对我国造林树种适宜分布区的影响,及时采取应对措施,对提高造林的成效具有至关重要的作用.选取在荒漠化防治和退化土地修复中起重要作用的优良树种沙枣为研究对象,利用MaxEnt和GIS工具,基于182个来自标本馆、出版文献的记录和13个来自BIOCLIM、Holdridge生命地带、Kira指数的气候因子,预测其气候适宜区在未来气候情景下的变化.结果表明: 未来(2070s)4种气候情景对沙枣适宜区的影响存在差异,在低浓度温室气体排放情景(RCP 2.6)下适宜区面积将缩减,缩减的区域主要位于西北当前适宜分布区的边缘;而中等偏低浓度温室气体排放情景(RCP 4.5)、中等偏高浓度温室气体排放情景(RCP 6.0)和高浓度温室气体排放情景(RCP 8.5)下,均有不同程度的扩张,扩张的区域主要位于西北暖温带干旱地区和东北部中温带半湿润地区;在RCP 8.5情景下,北部中温带干旱区和半干旱地区以及南方北亚热带湿润地区也有较明显的扩张.未来适宜区分布范围的地理质心将以6～19 km·(10 a)^-1的速度移动,海拔质心将以3～20 m·(10 a)^-1的速度向更低区域移动.沙枣稳定适宜区约占当前适宜区分布范围的83%～98%,当前的气候适宜区总体稳定.