Climate-driven distribution shifts of invasive earthworm species in a river basin affected by mining tailings
Abstract
Changes
in
temperature
and
precipitation
patterns,
along
with
extreme
weather
events,
have
altered
natural
habitats,
contributing
to
species
extinctions
ecosystem
fragmentation
worldwide.
Climate
change
can
exacerbate
disturbances
trigger
biological
invasions
that
threaten
native
species.
Here,
we
used
ecological
niche
models
predict
the
future
distribution
of
five
invasive
earthworm
(Amynthas
corticis ,
Amynthas
gracilis ,
Dichogaster
bolaui ,
Polypheretima
elongata ,
Pontoscolex
corethrurus )
within
Doce
River
Basin
(DRB),
Brazil.
We
also
assessed
impact
Fundão
dam
collapse
on
suitability
changes
using
a
vegetation
index
as
proxy
for
forest
cover.
found
that,
despite
being
invasive,
most
are
expected
experience
contractions
suitable
climate
areas,
losses
reaching
up
66%
P.
elongata .
Only
D.
bolaui
is
predicted
retain
areas
across
entire
study
area
all
scenarios.
The
results
indicated
exacerbated
reductions
forested
regions,
post-collapse
approximately
33%
smaller
than
pre-collapse
conditions.
Nevertheless,
southeastern
portion
DRB
projected
conditions
species,
indicating
high
potential
this
region.
These
findings
highlight
need
targeted
management
strategies
prevent
dominance
restore
buffer
against
impacts
control
earthworms.
Ecological
restoration
efforts,
alongside
integration
environmental
monitoring
modeling,
crucial
mitigating
biodiversity
loss
enhancing
resilience
invasion
by
alien
earthworms
face
change.
Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown
Published: April 22, 2025
Language: Английский