Data from: Precipitation and temperature primarily determine the reptile distributions in China

Reptiles make up one-third of tetrapods, however they are often omitted
from global conservation analyses. Understanding the determinants of
reptile distribution is the foundation for reptile conservation research.
We assembled a dataset on the distribution of 231 reptile species (nearly
50% of recorded species in China). We then investigated the association of
species range filling (the proportion of observed ranges compared to
species potential climate distributions) with climate, range size,
topography, and human activity, using three regression methods. At the
species level, we found the most primary factors influencing the recent
distribution pattern of reptiles across China were the mean annual
precipitation (MAP) and the mean annual temperature (MAT). In contrast,
human activity came in last. Similarly, at aspatial level, MAP and MAT
were still the most important factors. Geographically, the south and east
of China support the highest reptile diversity, partially due to high
precipitation. Contrary to the prevailing notion that reptile
distributions are primarily shaped by human activities, our study
re-emphasizes the importance of climate in determining reptile
distribution. It accentuates the necessity of integrating climate
variables into future animal conservation strategies in China. Our
findings also offer valuable insights for informing conservation
practices, including the site planning of natural reserves and national
parks, as well as monitoring of environmental factors in protected areas.