The GR3D model, a tool to explore the Global Repositioning Dynamics of Diadromous fish Distribution

•We build a model to assess persistence of diadromous fish in a climate change context.•We proposed a generic inter-catchment dispersal process for these species.•The model combines climatic requirements, population dynamics and dispersal.•In a simple test case, landscape structure is a key factor of repositioning success.

Within the context of ongoing environmental changes, the life history of diadromous fish represents a real potential for exploring and colonizing new environments due to high potential dispersal abilities. The use of dynamic approaches to assess how these species will respond to climate change is a challenging issue and mechanistic models able to incorporate biological and evolutionary processes are a promising tool. To this end we developed an individual-based model, called GR3D (Global Repositioning Dynamics for Diadromous fish Distribution), combining climatic requirements and population dynamics with an explicit dispersal process to evaluate potential evolution of their distribution area in the context of climatic change. This paper describes thoroughly the model structure and presents an exploratory test case where the repositioning of a virtual allis shad (Alosa alosa L.) population between two river catchments under a scenario of temperature increase was assessed. The global sensitivity analysis showed that landscape structure and parameters related to sea lifespan and to survival at sea were crucial to determine the success of colonization. These results were consistent with the ecology of this species. The integration of climatic factors directly into the processes and the explicit dispersal process make GR3D an original and relevant tool to assess the repositioning dynamics and persistence of diadromous fish facing climate change.