Heterogeneous distributional responses to climate warming: evidence from rodents along a subtropical elevational gradient

BMC Ecology

Research Article

Yi Wu¹  Zhisong Yang²  Lin Xia³  Deyan Ge³  Zhixin Wen³  Qisen Yang³  Jilong Cheng⁴  Yongbin Chang⁴ 

[1] College of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, 510006, Guangzhou, China;Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, 637009, Nanchong, China;Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beichen West Road, 100101, Beijing, China;Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beichen West Road, 100101, Beijing, China;Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuquan Road, 100049, Beijing, China;

关键词: Climate change;    Heterogeneity;    Range shift;    Rodent;    Species traits;    Subtropical;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12898-017-0128-x

 received in 2016-11-15, accepted in 2017-04-11,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundUnderstanding whether species’ elevational range is shifting in response to directional changes in climate and whether there is a predictable pattern in that response is one of the major challenges in ecology. However, so far very little is known about the distributional responses of subtropical species to climate change, especially for small mammals. In this study, we examined the elevational range shifts at three range points (upper and lower range limits and abundance-weighted range centre) of rodents over a 30-year period (1986 to 2014–2015), in a subtropical forest of Southwest China. We also examined the influences of four ecological traits (body mass, habitat breadth, diet and daily activity pattern) on the upslope shifts in species’ abundance-weighted range centres.ResultsDespite the warming trend between 1986 and 2015, the 11 rodent species in analysis displayed heterogeneous dynamics at each of the three range points. Species which have larger body sizes and narrower habitat breadths, show both diurnal and nocturnal activities and more specialized dietary requirements, are more likely to exhibit upslope shifts in abundance-weighted range centres.ConclusionsSpecies’ distributional responses can be heterogeneous even though there are directional changes in climate. Our study indicates that climate-induced alleviation of competition and lag in response may potentially drive species’ range shift, which may not conform to the expectation from climate change. Difference in traits can lead to different range dynamics. Our study also illustrates the merit of multi-faceted assessment in studying elevational range shifts.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2017