How will biotic interactions influence climate change-induced range shifts?

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Biogeography

Background:

• Biotic interactions (competition, predation, mutualism, facilitation) significantly influence species distributions.
• Few studies quantify how these interactions affect species' range shifts in response to climate change.
• Understanding these biotic dynamics is crucial for predicting ecological responses to global warming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how biotic interactions mediate species' range shifts under climate change.
• To outline conditions under which biotic interactions can alter the speed and direction of range shifts.
• To emphasize the need for experimental data and modeling to predict these effects.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing theoretical frameworks for biotic interactions and range shifts.
• Presenting case studies demonstrating the role of biotic interactions across environmental gradients.
• Advocating for the integration of experimental findings into predictive models.

Main Results:

• Biotic interactions can cause range shifts to lag behind or outpace climate velocity, leading to ecological surprises.
• Experimental documentation of interaction strengths across environmental gradients is essential for predicting range shifts.
• Integrating empirical data into modeling frameworks can generalize the role of biotic interactions in climate change responses.

Conclusions:

• Biotic interactions are critical, yet often overlooked, drivers of species' responses to climate change.
• Further research, including more case studies and integrated modeling, is needed to fully understand these effects.
• Accurate predictions of species' range shifts require incorporating the complexity of biotic interactions.