Projected distribution of the westernmost subpopulation of Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis pelops) under climate change: conservation implications of a threatened population

Anthropogenic climate change can have a negative impact on the distribution of habitat specialist species with narrow distributional ranges. Among many areas around world affected by change, Himalayan region in particular is experiencing marked effects global warming its climatic patterns and life forms. This study assessed current Assamese macaques ( Macaca assamensis ) western Nepal, projected their likely (via suitability modeling) for years 2050 2070 under two most plausible greenhouse gas emission scenarios (RCP4.5 RCP6.0). We recorded total 159 belonging to 10 groups (nine them residing outside protected area networks) between 684m 2550m asl Nepal. Climatic niche modeling predicted that 37.03% (25,114 km 2 Nepal (67,813 represented suitable species, majority which ranged 1000 m 2000 asl. Future projections revealed consistent decrease both tested. With RCP6.0 scenario, almost 57% highly would be lost remaining shifted towards higher elevations. The loss directly affects survival range shift elevation exposes new conflict humans. Therefore, macaque population requires high conservation priority establishment areas.