Penman TD, Pike DA, Webb JK and Shine R (2010) Predicting the impact of climate change on Australia's most endangered snake, Hoplocephalus bungaroides. Diversity & Distributions, 16: 109-118.

Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2009.00619.x

Summary

Predicted global climatic change has the potential to have positive and negative impacts on the distribution of all species. Identifying species which are expected to decline is important for conservation management. The broadheaded snake is considered Australia’s most endangered snake as it has a restricted distribution, strict habitat requirements and is subject to anthropogenic pressures. We used a climatic modelling program to examine the potential impacts of climatic change on this species across its range. Under all scenarios we tested, the expected distribution of the species declined. In the 2070 high climate change scenario, only 14% of known populations are predicted to experience suitable climatic conditions. Management of these populations is vital if we are to conserve this species over time.