Eco Stress Prediction Model for Assessing Combined Effects of Climate Change and Human Disturbances on Wildlife

Abstract

Traditional wildlife conservation hotspots may no longer be ecological priorities for the future as climate change continues to alter environmental circumstances. The present strategies primarily rely on current species distributions and habitat suitability, for which future conservation effectiveness under climate change cannot be assured. This paper, therefore, presents a Climate Risk Mapping Approach to identify the future conservation hotspots and potential climatic refugia, which combines species occurrence data, habitat traits, potential climate risk, perturbation, and anthropogenic impact. Combining knowledge from climate risk assessment, species range dynamics, fire vulnerability, biodiversity hotspot research, and human-wildlife interactions, this approach aims to support effective adaptive conservation management. It enhances future foresight of ecological persistence and potential deteriorations with efficient conservation resource allocation and climate-ready biodiversity conservation in various environments, although it needs extensive field validation.