Climate change drives the retreat of Aethionema spinosum (Brassicaceae) to high-elevation refugia.

ABSTRACT: Global climate change poses an increasing threat to biodiversity, prompting scientists to utilize ecological and evolutionary knowledge to address this challenge. Understanding these fields and their interconnections is crucial for improving conservation strategies. Accordingly, we conducted a study to assess the potential repercussions of climate change on Aethionema spinosum, a plant species endemic to the mountains of the Irano-Turanian floristic region. Employing ecological niche modeling (ENM), we projected the potential geographic distribution of A. spinosum under current conditions and two future climate scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) for the period 2041-2060. Key climatic factors, including annual mean temperature (bio1), isothermality (bio3), and precipitation of the wettest qu

SUBMITTER: Jafari M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12541087 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature