Long-term changes in abundances of Sonoran Desert lizards reveal complex responses to climatic variation

摘要: Understanding how climatic variation affects animal populations and communities is essential for addressing threats posed by climate change, especially in systems where impacts are projected to be high. We evaluated abundance dynamics of five common species diurnal lizards over 25 years a Sonoran Desert transition zone precipitation decreased temperature increased across time, assessed hypotheses the influence flux on spatiotemporal abundances. repeatedly surveyed spring summer each year at up 32 sites, used hierarchical mixture models estimate detection probabilities, abundances, population growth rates. Among terrestrial species, abundances short-lived, winter-spring breeder markedly an estimated 237-285% while two larger spring-summer breeders with higher thermal preferences declined 64%. Abundances arboreal that occupy shaded thus sheltered microhabitats fluctuated but did not decline systematically. all short lag times (1-1.5 yrs) likely due enhanced food availability, often after periods high longer (2-4 predation other biotic pressures. Although rising maximum daily temperatures (Tmax) expected drive global declines lizards, associations Tmax were variable weak most species. Instead, minimum temperatures, suggesting degradation cool refugia imposed widespread metabolic or costs. Our results suggest warming drying having major lizard driving traits augment exposure abiotic extremes modifying interactions. The complexity patterns we report indicate evaluating responding change biodiversity must consider broad array ecological processes. This article protected copyright. All rights reserved.