Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios

The Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera), a native tree of Western Asia, typically grows at high altitudes where the effects of climate change are particularly notable. We analysed the climatic determinants of the current distribution of Q. macranthera and assessed the redistribution of areas suita...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nihal Kenar, Zaal Kikvidze
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Belgrade 2023-10-01
Series:Botanica Serbica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://botanicaserbica.bio.bg.ac.rs/arhiva/pdf/2023_47_2_874_full.pdf
_version_ 1797647544630640640
author Nihal Kenar
Zaal Kikvidze
author_facet Nihal Kenar
Zaal Kikvidze
author_sort Nihal Kenar
collection DOAJ
description The Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera), a native tree of Western Asia, typically grows at high altitudes where the effects of climate change are particularly notable. We analysed the climatic determinants of the current distribution of Q. macranthera and assessed the redistribution of areas suitable for this species as a consequence of climate change. We described the current range of distribution and predicted the potential geographical distribution of the Caucasian oak using species distribution models and five algorithms from two Shared Socio-Economic Pathways (SSPs: SSP 1‒2.6 and 5‒8.5) for the years 2035, 2055, and 2085, which are based on two General Circulation Models (GCMs). The Random Forest algorithm most accurately described the current distribution of Q. macranthera. SSP 1‒2.6 and SSP5‒8.5 predicted a pronounced contraction of the highly suitable habitat for the Caucasian oak due to the increase in temperatures and changes in seasonal precipitation dynamics, that more intensive climate change could lead to a greater loss of highly suitable habitats, and that the populations of Q. macranthera could survive only in the Alborz Mountains (northern Iran) and in the Great Caucasus Mountains. Our work helps to establish conservation strategies for species monitoring in order to minimise the potential impacts of climate change.
first_indexed 2024-03-11T15:18:04Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5a3cf6f7f857483590f38314588ff3c7
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1821-2158
1821-2638
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-11T15:18:04Z
publishDate 2023-10-01
publisher University of Belgrade
record_format Article
series Botanica Serbica
spelling doaj.art-5a3cf6f7f857483590f38314588ff3c72023-10-29T11:12:13ZengUniversity of BelgradeBotanica Serbica1821-21581821-26382023-10-0147221522610.2298/BOTSERB2302215KModelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenariosNihal Kenar0Zaal Kikvidze1Aksaray University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Biology Department, Aksaray 68100, TurkeyIlia State University, Institute of Ethno-biology and Socio-ecology, Ecology and Ethno-biology, 3/5 Cholokashvili Ave, Tbilisi 0162, GeorgiaThe Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera), a native tree of Western Asia, typically grows at high altitudes where the effects of climate change are particularly notable. We analysed the climatic determinants of the current distribution of Q. macranthera and assessed the redistribution of areas suitable for this species as a consequence of climate change. We described the current range of distribution and predicted the potential geographical distribution of the Caucasian oak using species distribution models and five algorithms from two Shared Socio-Economic Pathways (SSPs: SSP 1‒2.6 and 5‒8.5) for the years 2035, 2055, and 2085, which are based on two General Circulation Models (GCMs). The Random Forest algorithm most accurately described the current distribution of Q. macranthera. SSP 1‒2.6 and SSP5‒8.5 predicted a pronounced contraction of the highly suitable habitat for the Caucasian oak due to the increase in temperatures and changes in seasonal precipitation dynamics, that more intensive climate change could lead to a greater loss of highly suitable habitats, and that the populations of Q. macranthera could survive only in the Alborz Mountains (northern Iran) and in the Great Caucasus Mountains. Our work helps to establish conservation strategies for species monitoring in order to minimise the potential impacts of climate change.https://botanicaserbica.bio.bg.ac.rs/arhiva/pdf/2023_47_2_874_full.pdfcmip6global warmingpotentially suitable habitatrandom forestspecies distribution models
spellingShingle Nihal Kenar
Zaal Kikvidze
Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios
Botanica Serbica
cmip6
global warming
potentially suitable habitat
random forest
species distribution models
title Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios
title_full Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios
title_fullStr Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios
title_full_unstemmed Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios
title_short Modelling the distribution of the Caucasian oak (Quercus macranthera) in Western Asia under future climate change scenarios
title_sort modelling the distribution of the caucasian oak quercus macranthera in western asia under future climate change scenarios
topic cmip6
global warming
potentially suitable habitat
random forest
species distribution models
url https://botanicaserbica.bio.bg.ac.rs/arhiva/pdf/2023_47_2_874_full.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT nihalkenar modellingthedistributionofthecaucasianoakquercusmacrantherainwesternasiaunderfutureclimatechangescenarios
AT zaalkikvidze modellingthedistributionofthecaucasianoakquercusmacrantherainwesternasiaunderfutureclimatechangescenarios