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Climatic change and extinction risk of two globally threatened Ethiopian endemic bird species.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Donald, Paul F 
Collar, Nigel J 
Denge, Jarso 
Dadacha, Galgalo 

Abstract

Climate change is having profound effects on the distributions of species globally. Trait-based assessments predict that specialist and range-restricted species are among those most likely to be at risk of extinction from such changes. Understanding individual species' responses to climate change is therefore critical for informing conservation planning. We use an established Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) protocol to describe the curious range-restriction of the globally threatened White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) to a small area in southern Ethiopia. We find that, across a range of modelling approaches, the distribution of this species is well described by two climatic variables, maximum temperature and dry season precipitation. These same two variables have been previously found to limit the distribution of the unrelated but closely sympatric Ethiopian Bush-crow (Zavattariornis stresemanni). We project the future climatic suitability for both species under a range of climate scenarios and modelling approaches. Both species are at severe risk of extinction within the next half century, as the climate in 68-84% (for the swallow) and 90-100% (for the bush-crow) of their current ranges is predicted to become unsuitable. Intensive conservation measures, such as assisted migration and captive-breeding, may be the only options available to safeguard these two species. Their projected disappearance in the wild offers an opportunity to test the reliability of SDMs for predicting the fate of wild species. Monitoring future changes in the distribution and abundance of the bush-crow is particularly tractable because its nests are conspicuous and visible over large distances.

Description

Keywords

Animal Distribution, Animals, Climate Change, Crows, Ecosystem, Endangered Species, Ethiopia, Models, Statistical, Swallows

Journal Title

PLoS One

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1932-6203
1932-6203

Volume Title

16

Publisher

Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
NERC (1210186)
AJB was supported by a PhD studentship grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (award 1210186), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British Birdfair/RSPB Fund for Endangered Species, African Bird Club Expedition Awards, British Ornithologists’ Union Small Grants Scheme, Cambridge Philosophical Society, Department of Zoology Tim Whitmore Fund, Cambridge, Worts Travelling Scholars Fund, Cambridge, and Magdalene College, Cambridge. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
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