2) Dr. Oded Keynan

Habitat modification and climate change are major threats to biodiversity. Using 38 years of data (1985–2023), we examined their combined impact on a desert-dwelling cooperative breeder’s fitness and projected future effects under two climate scenarios for the end of the century (2100). Rainfall increased reproductive success, while extreme temperatures reduced survival in natural habitats. Human-modified habitats buffered against climate extremes, resulting in higher fitness even in harsh years. Future projections indicate severe population declines in natural habitats, while modified habitats may offer temporary refugia. Larger social groups enhanced resilience, highlighting the helpers’ role in cooperatively breeding species, although it might not suffice in extreme conditions under climate change scenarios. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing multiple anthropogenic stressors simultaneously to fully comprehend their combined impact on species’ fitness and the necessity of long-term projects in addressing the complex interplay between them.