Dataset on the predicted impacts of climate change and extreme temperature events on the future distribution of fruit bat species in Australia

Fruit bats are important pollinators and seed dispersers whose distribution may be affected by climate change and extreme-temperature events. We assessed the potential impacts of those changes and events on the future distribution of fruit bats in Australia. Correlative species distribution modelling was used to predict the distribution of seven (based on data availability) tropical and temperate fruit bat species. We used bioclimatic variables, the number of days where temperature ≥ 42 °C (known to induce extreme heat stress and mortality in fruit bats), and land cover (a proxy for habitat) as predictors. An ensemble of machine-learning algorithms was used to make predictions for the current-day distribution and future (2050 and 2070) scenarios, using multiple emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) and global circulation models (Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator, Hadley Centre Global Environment Model Carbon Cycle, and the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate).