A Functional Trait-Based Approach to Mapping Climate-Driven Changes in Temperature-Dependent Feeding Suitability

Climate change is altering species distributions and trophic interactions, necessitating predictive tools for assessing future ecological impacts. This study applies thermal performance curves (TPCs) to project temperature-dependent changes in relative feeding suitability across a set of freshwater, marine, and terrestrial species under baseline and mid-century climate conditions. Using a normalized Thermal Habitat Suitability (THS) index, we mapped spatial patterns of potential feeding performance and categorized them into five standardized suitability classes (0-1 range). Results indicate that, within the limited sample analyzed, freshwater species tended to show increased feeding efficiency, while marine and terrestrial species exhibited more variable trends. The study emphasizes the necessity of integrating prey distribution modeling to account for spatial match-mismatch dynamics under climate change. Overall, this approach provides a temperature-based decision-support tool that can help managers prioritize species for monitoring based on projected shifts in feeding suitability under future climate conditions.