Abstract Globally, biodiversity is declining, and a major driver of this decline is climate change; consequently, we need ways to evaluate the vulnerability of species to this change. We assessed 25 species of herpetofauna (7 amphibians and 18 reptiles) using multi-model averaging of NatureServe's Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI), a qualitative trait-based vulnerability assessment tool. We calculated vulnerability across model runs varying type and extent of spatial data and climate model scenario. Amphibians were more vulnerable than reptiles. The most vulnerable species were those that were dependent on water for their habitat, high elevation species, and habitat specialists. For reptiles in particular, the projected downscaled extent of temperature change and change in moisture availability were also important in delineating vulnerability. Unfortunately, the invasive American Bullfrog was less vulnerable than any of the native amphibians, which highlights the importance of considering invasives when planning for climate change. Snakes that were riparian specialists also were ranked as highly vulnerable. Lizards were ranked as less vulnerable related to projected differences in the proportion of their range experiencing larger changes in temperature. We suggest improvements to the CCVI vulnerability index. For example, certain aspects of reptile biology that are critical to climate-related vulnerability are not included in the current generation of the Climate Change Vulnerability Index, specifically reproductive strategy and the difference in vulnerability between viviparous and oviparous species. Methods for assessing vulnerability will need continued refinement as we contend with climate change and other human-caused factors that are driving the biodiversity crisis.

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沙漠爬行动物气候脆弱性比较

摘要 在全球范围内，生物多样性正在下降，而导致这种下降的一个主要驱动因素是气候变化；因此，我们需要一些方法来评估物种对这种变化的脆弱性。我们使用 NatureServe 的气候变化脆弱性指数 (CCVI) 的多模型平均评估了 25 种爬行动物（7 种两栖动物和 18 种爬行动物），这是一种基于定性特征的脆弱性评估工具。我们计算了模型运行中不同类型和范围的空间数据和气候模型情景的脆弱性。两栖动物比爬行动物更脆弱。最脆弱的物种是那些栖息地依赖水的物种、高海拔物种和栖息地专家。尤其是爬行动物，温度变化和可用水分变化的预计缩小程度对于描述脆弱性也很重要。不幸的是，入侵的美国牛蛙比任何本土两栖动物都更脆弱，这凸显了在规划气候变化时考虑入侵物种的重要性。作为河岸专家的蛇也被列为高度脆弱的。蜥蜴被列为较不脆弱的，这与它们经历较大温度变化的范围比例的预计差异有关。我们建议改进 CCVI 漏洞指数。例如，对气候相关脆弱性至关重要的爬行动物生物学的某些方面不包括在当前的气候变化脆弱性指数中，特别是生殖策略以及胎生和卵生物种之间的脆弱性差异。在我们应对气候变化和其他导致生物多样性危机的人为因素时，评估脆弱性的方法将需要不断改进。