Abstract

Identifying Bird and Reptile Vulnerabilities to Climate Change
Track: Conservation
Authors: James Hatten

We modeled current (2009) and future (2099) breeding ranges of 15 bird and 16 reptile species in the Western U.S. with PRISM and GCM data under an A1B emission scenario. Projected changes in ranges varied among species, with a third predicted to expand and two-thirds predicted to contract. Habitat fragmentation increased species’ vulnerability to climate projections, suggesting managers focus on restoration and enhancement of habitat to increase landscape connectivity and maintain core areas.