Accurate evaluation of habitat availability for wildlife is relevant for ecological applications. Researchers have frequently used models to simulate habitats thermally suitable for reptiles, but these results have limited application for species highly selective for habitat humidity. Here, we use the biophysical Niche Mapper™ model to investigate impacts of vegetation cover on the habitat quality of a high-elevation forest skink, Sphenomorphus taiwanensis, and to predict changes in habitat suitability in a future warmer climate (3 °C increase in air temperature). We assess habitat suitability with different densities of canopy cover in our study areas using two ecologically relevant estimates for lizards: maximum activity time and evaporative water loss (EWL) during the activity season. We measured preferred body temperature and EWL of this species for model parameterization, and behavioral response to EWL to supplement habitat quality assessment. The results indicated that this species is sensitive to EWL and reduces its activity when dehydrated. The model predicted that denser canopy levels increase microclimate cooling and humidity, and that most canopy levels are thermally suitable for this species, as the lizard can thermoregulate to manage adverse temperatures. Nevertheless, increasing canopy density could significantly decrease EWL during activity. In the warmer climate scenario, simulated maximum activity time and EWL changed little because of thermoregulation behavior. Our results suggest that habitat preference of this species is a consequence of water and energy requirements, and we note that combining EWL and maximum activity time data can enhance model accuracy of lizards' habitat quality in a warmer climate.

中文翻译：

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蒸发失水模拟改善了模型对高海拔森林石k生境适宜性的预测。

准确评估野生动植物栖息地的可用性与生态应用有关。研究人员经常使用模型来模拟热上适合爬行动物的栖息地，但是这些结果对于高度选择栖息地湿度的物种的应用受到限制。在这里，我们使用生物物理Niche Mapper™模型调查植被覆盖对高海拔森林石skin Sphenomorphus taiwanensis栖息地质量的影响，并预测未来气候变暖（空气温度升高3°C）时栖息地适应性的变化。温度）。我们使用两个与生态相关的蜥蜴评估方法来评估研究区域中不同密度冠层的栖息地适宜性：最大活动时间和活动季节的蒸发失水量（EWL）。我们测量了该物种的优选体温和EWL，以进行模型参数化，并对EWL进行行为响应以补充栖息地质量评估。结果表明，该物种对EWL敏感，并且在脱水时会降低其活性。该模型预测，较高的冠层水平会提高小气候的凉爽度和湿度，并且大多数的冠层水平都非常适合该物种，因为蜥蜴可以通过温度调节来控制不利的温度。然而，增加冠层密度可以显着降低活动期间的EWL。在气候变暖的情况下，由于温度调节行为，模拟的最大活动时间和EWL变化不大。我们的结果表明，该物种的栖息地偏好是水和能量需求的结果，