Constructing the Spatial Data to Forecast Potential Habitat for Amphibians and Reptiles under Climate Change

In this study, distribution data and environmental information for predicting the potential habitat of amphibians and reptiles in South Korea were compiled. The distribution data of amphibians and reptiles include nationwide surveys conducted by the National Institute of Ecology (seven surveys) and the Korea National Park Service (one survey). The distribution data are based on 57,777 locations for 35 species. Environmental information related to the habitat of amphibians and reptiles was constructed from 19 bioclimatic variables related to climate and four spatial variables related to geographic factors, and 19 bioclimatic variables for the future (2020-2090) were constructed using the results of SSP scenarios. In addition, species distribution models (MaxEnt) were used to predict current and future potential habitat for 28 amphibian and reptile species with more than 50 survey sites. The model validation values for the 28 species ranged from 0.717 to 0.987. These data have the potential to inform conservation strategies in response to climate change by spatially identifying current and future potential habitat for amphibians and reptiles.