Climate Change and Reduced Shading Restrict the Activity Period of a Threatened Tortoise in Tropical Dry Forest

The vulnerability of biodiversity to climate change and habitat alterations is a growing global concern. In the case of reptiles, it has been widely documented that relatively small changes in temperature can have drastic effects on biological processes with significant ecological consequences. This study used biophysical models to investigate how climate change and levels of shade influence the activity period of a vulnerable tropical tortoise (Gopherus evgoodei). The results revealed that reduced shading, serving as an indicator of decreased vegetation cover, has a significant and negative impact on the activity time of this species. Furthermore, it is projected that a 1.8°C increase in ambient temperature due to climate change would lead to an even further reduction in its activity time. This finding highlights the critical importance of shade, vegetation, and thermal limitations in the physiology of this tortoise, emphasizing the challenges that tropical reptiles face due to climate change and habitat alteration. The study also emphasizes the utility of mechanistic niche models in understanding how climate change and habitat modification can affect organisms. In conclusion, this study provides valuable eco-physiological information for the conservation of vulnerable species in tropical environments, highlighting the importance of preserving vegetation cover in tortoise habitats and carefully considering the implications of climate change in an ever-changing world amidst the biodiversity crisis.