What the study found
The study found that most of the 27 animal species analyzed are predicted to occur mainly in the northwest of the Altai Mountains under current conditions. It also found that, in future scenarios, habitats in the central region may be largely lost and many species may shift toward higher altitudes or latitudes.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the findings matter because ongoing global climate change and human activities are altering potentially suitable habitats in the Altai Mountains. They conclude that a transboundary protected area across China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia, along with reduced human impacts on wildlife and habitats, is warranted.
What the researchers tested
The researchers evaluated and predicted the distribution dynamics of 27 animal species and the resulting changes in species richness in the Altai Mountains. They used the MaxEnt model, a species distribution modeling approach, for current and future periods and examined human activity, snow cover, and precipitation of the coldest quarter as predictors.
What worked and what didn't
Human activities, snow cover, and precipitation of the coldest quarter were identified as the most important predictors for the potential distributions of most species. Most species were predicted to be concentrated in the northwest under current conditions, while central habitats were projected to be lost in the future. The study also reports a tendency for range shifts toward higher altitudes or latitudes.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations, uncertainty ranges, or model performance measures. The summary is limited to the 27 species studied in the Altai Mountains and to the current and future periods analyzed with the MaxEnt model.
Key points
- Most of the 27 species are predicted to be mainly distributed in the northwest of the Altai Mountains now.
- Future habitats in the central Altai Mountains may be largely lost.
- Many species are expected to shift toward higher altitudes or latitudes.
- Human activity, snow cover, and coldest-quarter precipitation were the strongest predictors reported.
- The authors recommend a transboundary protected area across China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Human activity, snow cover, and precipitation shape Altai mammal and bird ranges
- Authors:
- Xiaqiu Tao, Xuan Liu, Shaopeng Cui, Songkai Guo, ChunWang LI
- Institutions:
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Institute of Zoology, Institute of Zoology, Institute of Zoology, Nanjing Normal University, Shanxi Agricultural University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.