Drivers of distributions and niches of North American cold-adapted amphibians: evaluating both climate and land use.

摘要: Species distribution estimates are often used to understand the niche of a species; however, these based solely on climatic predictors. When influences biotic factors ignored, erroneous inferences about range and may be made. We aimed integrate climate data with unique set available land cover use for six cold-adapted amphibians North America (Ambystoma macrodactylum, Anaxyrus hemiophrys, boreas, Pseudacris maculata, Rana sylvatica, luteiventris) determine relative importance non-climate drivers through ecological models present-day estimates. compared climate-only, use-only, combination use, derived from two different model selection techniques, which was most likely drive current distributions amphibian species. Land layers included type, human population, vegetation ecoregion, overall footprint. The supported both footprint variables having highest permutation percent contribution. Models that incorporated performed best as measured AIC AUC, although qualitatively underestimated northern edge, implying potential sampling bias or locations reduced habitat quality species in area ranges. There were small differences dependent method selection. effect sizes landscape within except one feature: footprint, multiple aspects anthropogenic change landscape, including population density, travel access, agricultural impact. This aspect just important climate, counter what we expected, association mostly positive, negative response only occurring at very high levels. highlights moving beyond cover, specifically impact, driving patterns species'