Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus
ABSTRACT Amphibian declines, driven by climate change (e.g., shifting temperatures, altered precipitation) and human activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization, may lead to local extinctions. Quantifying the relative impact of climate change versus human influence remains challengi...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70595 |
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| author | Siqing Li Wenyu Dai Zhenkang Wang Zhaoning Wu Jiechen Wang |
| author_facet | Siqing Li Wenyu Dai Zhenkang Wang Zhaoning Wu Jiechen Wang |
| author_sort | Siqing Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Amphibian declines, driven by climate change (e.g., shifting temperatures, altered precipitation) and human activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization, may lead to local extinctions. Quantifying the relative impact of climate change versus human influence remains challenging. This study uses species distribution models (SDMs) and nearly 1000 years of historical distribution data from ancient texts and local archives to reconstruct the past distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) and to assess the spatiotemporal shifts in its range over time. The results reveal that over the past millennium, the potential distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander consistently contracted, decreasing by 10% from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and a further 30% from the Qing Dynasty to the modern era. Losses are concentrated in eastern plains with abundant water bodies, resulting in available habitat reduction to 27% of the Qing Dynasty's area. Climate factors have been key in shaping the salamander's distribution, but our findings reveal that population density has consistently impacted its range throughout history, highlighting the lasting influence of human activity. Climate models project a about 10% decrease in suitable habitat by around 2090, with northward shifts in suitable habitat. Given the urgent threat of habitat loss and environmental degradation, immediate and effective actions are crucial to prevent the local extinction of the Chinese giant salamander, including habitat protection, environmental restoration, and strict regulations against hunting and habitat destruction. This study, analyzing the Chinese giant salamander's suitable habitat historically, identifies human activities as a pivotal force in early amphibian species decline in China, contributing valuable perspectives to future amphibian conservation and management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d6a91fe511b243589bdb148c87561653 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-d6a91fe511b243589bdb148c875616532025-08-20T01:58:19ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-11-011411n/an/a10.1002/ece3.70595Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianusSiqing Li0Wenyu Dai1Zhenkang Wang2Zhaoning Wu3Jiechen Wang4Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Land Satellite Remote Sensing Applications of Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaJiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Land Satellite Remote Sensing Applications of Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaJiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Land Satellite Remote Sensing Applications of Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaJiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Land Satellite Remote Sensing Applications of Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaJiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Land Satellite Remote Sensing Applications of Ministry of Natural Resources, School of Geography and Ocean Science Nanjing University Nanjing ChinaABSTRACT Amphibian declines, driven by climate change (e.g., shifting temperatures, altered precipitation) and human activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization, may lead to local extinctions. Quantifying the relative impact of climate change versus human influence remains challenging. This study uses species distribution models (SDMs) and nearly 1000 years of historical distribution data from ancient texts and local archives to reconstruct the past distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) and to assess the spatiotemporal shifts in its range over time. The results reveal that over the past millennium, the potential distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander consistently contracted, decreasing by 10% from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and a further 30% from the Qing Dynasty to the modern era. Losses are concentrated in eastern plains with abundant water bodies, resulting in available habitat reduction to 27% of the Qing Dynasty's area. Climate factors have been key in shaping the salamander's distribution, but our findings reveal that population density has consistently impacted its range throughout history, highlighting the lasting influence of human activity. Climate models project a about 10% decrease in suitable habitat by around 2090, with northward shifts in suitable habitat. Given the urgent threat of habitat loss and environmental degradation, immediate and effective actions are crucial to prevent the local extinction of the Chinese giant salamander, including habitat protection, environmental restoration, and strict regulations against hunting and habitat destruction. This study, analyzing the Chinese giant salamander's suitable habitat historically, identifies human activities as a pivotal force in early amphibian species decline in China, contributing valuable perspectives to future amphibian conservation and management.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70595amphibiansclimate changehabitat range losshistorical archiveshuman disturbance |
| spellingShingle | Siqing Li Wenyu Dai Zhenkang Wang Zhaoning Wu Jiechen Wang Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus Ecology and Evolution amphibians climate change habitat range loss historical archives human disturbance |
| title | Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus |
| title_full | Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus |
| title_fullStr | Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus |
| title_short | Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus |
| title_sort | detecting range shrinking from historical amphibian species occurrences under influence of human impacts a case study using the chinese giant salamander andrias davidianus |
| topic | amphibians climate change habitat range loss historical archives human disturbance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70595 |
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