Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (3): 509-520.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.03.15

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Potential distribution changes of Castor fiber birulai under climate changes in the upper reaches of the Ulungur River,Xinjiang

SU Canxia1,2,3(), CHU Wenwen4,5, Bahatibieke PIELIZHATI2,3,6, JIANG Xiaoheng2,3, CHEN Yanqiu2,3,6, HUANG Wenpu5, MA Chi2,3,5,6, CHU Hongjun1,2,3,6()   

  1. 1. College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, China
    2. Institute of Forest Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang, China
    3. Xinjiang Bosten Lake Wetland Ecosystem National Positioning Observation and Research Station,Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang, China
    4. College of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    5. Nature Conservation Association of Altay Region, Altay 836500, Xinjiang, China
    6. College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2023-06-30 Revised:2023-08-24 Online:2024-03-15 Published:2024-04-01

Abstract:

Castor fiber birulai is primarily distributed in the Ulungu river basin in China. Therefore, investigating the potential distribution of suitable regions is crucial for the conservation of C. f. birulai. A total of 97 distribution sites of C. f. birulai and 28 environmental factors collected from 2021 to 2022 were used to predict the distribution of suitable habitat regions for this species under different climatic scenarios using the MaxEnt model. Results showed that the distribution of suitable habitats was mainly affected by the distance from major roads (0.1-1 km), distance from water channel (within 100 m), landcover type (river, wetland, and forest), altitude (approximately 1000 m), mean temperature of wettest quarter(22-25 mm), and the standard deviation factor of seasonal temperature change (above 1500). In the 2050s (2041-2060, ssp585 climate scenario) and 2070s (2061-2080, ssp126 climate scenario), the high suitability area was the same or slightly increased compared with the current situation, and the area of suitable habitat, which decreased in the two future climate scenarios, was the same. The results of this study can provide a reference point for the protection and management of C. f. birulai under climate changes.

Key words: Castor fiber birulai, MaxEnt model, suitable habitat region, the upper Ulungur River