Managing the Future Spread of Invasive Apple Snails with Predictive Distribution Models
Short paragraph: Climate change exacerbates the global threat posed by invasive species. This study assesses the distributional shifts of two highly invasive apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata, in East Asia under future climate scenarios using species distribution models. We found that while their niches significantly overlap, suggesting potential competition, the two species occupy distinct suitable habitats with P. canaliculata exhibiting greater adaptability to extreme conditions. Critically, our projections indicate that the sustainable development pathway (SSP126) is the most effective scenario for limiting their future spread. These predictive maps provide vital information for proactive management, highlighting that early intervention and climate change mitigation are key to controlling these ecologically and economically damaging invaders.
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