Effect of climate change on halophytic grasslands loss and its impact in the viability of Gopherus flavomarginatus

By

Becerra-López, Jorge Luis
Ramírez-Bautista, Aurelio
Romero-Méndez, ULISES
Pavón, Numa P.
Sánchez-Rojas, Gerardo

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2017

Original Publication

Subterranean Biology

Volume

21

Pages

39-55

Subjects

climate change , Gopherus flavomarginatus , halophytic grasslands , Spatial distribution

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.21.13614

 

Abstract

The decrease of the habitat is one of the main factors that affect the survival of G. flavomarginatus. This study assesses the halophytic grasslands loss over a period of 30 years in the distribution area of the Bolson tortoise and the effects of climate change on the habitat suitability of these grasslands and its possible impact on this tortoise. Grassland loss was assessed by an analysis of symmetric differences and the habitat suitability model was carried out by the method of overlapping layers raster. Our results showed a grassland loss of 63.7%; however, our current habitat suitability model points out that much of the grassland loss has occurred where the environmental conditions are suitable. These results suggest that anthropic activity is a main factor in the habitat disturbance in the study area. Likewise, the models for years 2050 and 2070 under the criteria RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, suggest that anthropic activity will continue be the main cause of the grassland loss. Therefore, considering the association between the Bolson tortoise and grassland halophyte Hilaria mutica, which comprises around 60% of its diet, the viability of the Bolson tortoise depends largely on strategies aimed at protecting the soil that allow the presence of this grassland.