Modelling of the climate change effects on the brown trout (Salmo trutta) distribution in Iran

Climate change and other anthropogenic pressures have caused freshwater biodiversity and decline faster than terrestrial or marine biodiversity in recent decades, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. Freshwater communities are particularly vulnerable to change because freshwaters are already exposed to numerous anthropogenic stressors, and many species have limited their dispersal ability to cope with habitat modifications. Ongoing anthropogenic climate change increases water temperatures, and alters precipitation, evaporation and hydrology patterns, and consequently affects fundamental habitat conditions for freshwater species. Obtaining predictive models for the biogeography of riverine fishes in the face of environmental and climatic changes is a key scientific goal and a priority for attaining effective conservation and management. The objective of this study is to forecast brown trout occurrence under certain climate change scenariosin Iran. This species generally inhabits headwaters with high oxygen saturation, steep slope, fast flow, suitable temperature regimes and adequate food and responses to a variety of environmental and climatic changes. The results of brown trout (Salmo trutta) modeling distribution under climate change scenarios. This study showed that this species will be removed from many of its original habitats in future.

Keywords:

climate change , species distribution modelling , brown trout , Iran