Identifying Climatic Niche Shift of The Endemic Avifauna of Western Ghats

Climate change poses a threat to endemic species by altering their habitats and reducing their chances of survival.These species, uniquely adapted to their environments, face the risk of extinction as climate patterns shift rapidly.Western Ghats is one of the global biodiversity hotspots and home to diverse endemic species.Despite the unique species present in the Western Ghats, limited studies have attempted to understand the climate-related risks to them.This study employs an ensemble modeling approach to assess the current distribution and predict the future climatic niches of 29 endemic bird species in the Western Ghats.Results indicate a substantial loss of climatic niche for most species under both scenarios, with certain species experiencing a decline of more than 70% in their climatic niche.The four laughingthrush species are exceptionally vulnerable, potentially losing up to 99% of their suitable climatic niche.Furthermore, we emphasize the critical importance of mid-altitude regions with Wet Evergreen Forest in the Western Ghats, as potential climate-change refugia for these species.Ensuring that the temperature remains below 2°C is imperative, necessitating urgent conservation efforts, including habitat preservation.This study provides essential insights to inform conservation strategies and underscores the necessity for continued research and proactive measures to safeguard the Western Ghats' unique biodiversity in the face of escalating climate change challenges.Climate change stands as a significant factor contributing to the global