A Multi‐Modelling Approach for Informing the Conservation of a Cold‐Adapted Terrestrial Amphibian in the Face of Climate Change

Abstract

Aim We aimed to assess potential climate change impacts on the distribution of a cold‐adapted terrestrial amphibian that shows strong intraspecific differentiation. Location Alps and Dinarides. Taxon Alpine salamander ( Salamandra atra ). Methods We built SDMs for each of two major intraspecific lineages ( S. a. atra , which is found throughout the Northern Alps, and S. a. prenjensis , which appears sparsely along the Dinarides) and for the entire species, using occurrence points from a carefully curated database, climate data with 1 km 2 spatial resolution and eight modelling techniques. We projected climatically suitable areas to 2070 under two climate scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5), using 24 general circulation models. Results For S. a. atra , under RCP2.6 scenario, we detected a 3% increase in the extent of climatically suitable areas in the Alps (although with low model agreement), yet a 6% decrease under the RCP8.5 scenario. For S. a. prenjensis , we detected a decrease in the extent of climatically suitable areas in the Dinarides between 7% and 45% (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, respectively). The SDM predictions for the entire species were most in line with those of the S. a. atra model. Although climate variables were not equally strong in predicting the climatic suitability for both lineages, the minimum temperature of the coldest month revealed an important predictor for the entire species, with clear decreases in suitability towards higher temperature. Main Conclusions All models reveal a considerable decrease in climate suitability throughout most of the range of S. atra , which is particularly visible in the Dinarides. We highlight the importance of considering intraspecific variation when modelling climate change impacts on geographically differentiated species whose populations vary in their climatic niche. We provide our study results (occurrence data and maps) via a web application that can be useful for guiding conservation efforts.

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