Developing an integrated framework to investigate biodiversity responses to global environmental change

NERC

 

This project aims to establish and implement an integrated framework to understand and predict the responses of biodiversity to global environmental change. We combine genomic tools with ecological research, geographical data and modelling approaches to determine how climate change will interact with habitat loss and environmental heterogeneity to affect the future distribution, genetic composition and long-term persistence of species as a function of their adaptive potential. European forest bats are used as a model for mammals and birds that are at risk of extinction from range and habitat loss as a result of global changes.

 

 

Integrated_framework

Project components

Exposure

We assess population exposure to future climate change using predictive distribution modelling, incorporating the effect of climate change, land cover changes, dispersal and interspecific competition. We are developing individual-based demographic models of species dispersal under future climate change as a function of landscape heterogeneity.

Sensitivity

We are generating genomic datasets (using ddRAD-sequencing and RNA-sequencing) to study population sensitivity to climate change. We aim to identify genomic regions under selection involved in local adaptations to warmer temperatures, lower rainfall and higher climatic variability.

Adaptive Potential

We mathematically model the probability of the spread of adaptive alleles in populations taking into account migration between populations.

Range Shift Potential

This project uses the landscape genetics/genomics approach to determine the range shift potential of populations that are predicted to be found in climatically unsuitable areas by the end of this century. We study the effects of environmental heterogeneity on the spatial distribution of both neutral and adaptive, ecologically-significant, genetic variation. And use this approach in a predictive manner to model the future spread of adaptive variation.

Population Persistence

Different project components will be combined to model the probability of population persistence under future climate change and identify at risk populations and geographical areas.

Applied Conservation

Scientific findings will be translated into management recommendations for conserving forest bats under future climate change. This project will also contribute to promoting the inclusion of genetic and genomic data in conservation management and research.

Razgour et al 2018_MolEcolRes_Fig1_Framework

 

Project Outputs

Razgour O, Forester B, Taggart J, Bekaert M, Juste J, Ibanez C, Puechmaille SJ, Novella-Fernandez R, Alberdi A, Manel S. (In Press) Considering adaptive genetic variation in climate change vulnerability assessment reduces species range loss projections. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS)PDF

Razgour OTaggart JBManel S, Juste J, Ibáñez C, Rebelo H, Alberdi A, Jones G, Park K (2018) An integrated framework to identify wildlife populations under threat from climate changeMolecular Ecology Resources 18: 18-31PDF

Razgour O, Persey M, Shamir U, Korine C (2018) The role of climate, water and biotic interactions in shaping biodiversity patterns in arid environments across spatial scales. Diversity and Distributions 24: 1440-1452. PDF

 

Razgour et al. 2019_PNAS_Fig1