Shrinking and upward shifting of siberian Jerboa's suitable habitat in China under climate change impacts

Abstract

The Siberian jerboa (Orientallactaga sibirica), a keystone species in desert ecosystems and a critical indicator for environmental change assessment. However, little is known about the spatial distribution and habitat suitability of Siberian jerboa in China, particularly under the dual impacts of climate change and human disturbance. This study employed the MaxEnt model to discern key factors affecting the Siberian jerboa's habitat suitability, predicated future habitat shifts in response to climatic and anthropogenic influences. The results reveal that the species predominantly inhabits northwestern China, centering in Gansu's Hexi Corridor and central Inner Mongolia under current climate conditions. Vegetation cover emerges as the primary determinant of its distribution, with elevation, human disturbance, temperature fluctuations, and slope also significantly influencing habitat suitability of the species. The potentially suitable habitat range of the Siberian jerboa is shrinking due to global climate change. Notably, future projections suggest an expansion of its distribution towards the Tibetan Plateau, driven by climate change. This research contributes valuable insights into the adaptive responses of desert rodents to the environmental change.