Range edges in heterogeneous landscapes: Integrating geographic scale and climate complexity into range dynamics

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Climate Change Science

Background:

• Climate change is increasing the importance of understanding species' geographic range edges.
• Defining and studying species range edges is complex due to nested geography and multidimensional climate.
• Range-limiting processes in both geographic and climate space highlight the critical role of their relationship in setting limits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how climate heterogeneity, collinearity, and spatial scale interact to shape species range edges.
• To explore the relationship between geographic and climatic range limits.
• To understand how these factors influence the stability of species range edges under climate change.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual and empirical analysis of factors influencing range edges.
• Examination of the interplay between geographic space and climate space.
• Analysis of climate heterogeneity, collinearity, and spatial scale effects on range structures.

Main Results:

• Geographic and climate-driven range edges are frequently not concordant across species.
• High climate heterogeneity and low climate collinearity reduce the correspondence between geographic and climatic niche limits.
• These factors increase the variability in how geographic and climatic spaces relate.

Conclusions:

• The complexity of real landscapes significantly shapes species range edges.
• Understanding these complexities is vital for advancing range limit theory.
• Further empirical research is needed for effective biodiversity conservation under climate change.