Global Change Biology

The impact of global change on tropical species (amphibian, reptiles and fishes) and their habitats is still poorly understood and lagging. Here, we aim to use extensive long-term collection of occurrence records that will be assembled through scientific field surveys and citizen scientists, as well as environmental variables, to build predictive models to forecast the suitable habitats, range size, and habitat connectivity of tropical fauna. Our main goals are to build predictive models to

(1) understand the current distribution pattern of tropical fauna;

(2) evaluate the habitat suitability range of tropical fauna by pinpointing which environmental variables drive their current and future distribution;

(3) investigate whether current distribution of tropical fauna will likely expand or contract under various global change scenarios;

(4) assert whether current protected areas will accommodate the projected future suitable habitats of tropical fauna under global change scenarios; and

(5) evaluate the potential consequences of global change on permeability of landscapes to the movements of tropical fauna.