Climate change is happening. Due to a spectrum of possible conse?quences,
numerous studies examine the effects of global warming on species
distribution. This study examines the effects of changing climate on
distribution of selected strictly protected species of hoverflies in Serbia,
by using species distribution modelling. Ten species were included in the
analysis. Three species were predicted to lose a part of their range across
time, while for seven species the range expansion was predicted. Both in the
present time and in the future, mountainous regions have the highest species
richness, such as Golija, Kopaonik, and Prokletije in the western Serbia,
and mountains Stara Planina, Besna Kobila, Suva Planina, and Dukat in the
southeastern part of the country. However, beside climate change, there are
several other factors that might influence the distribution of strictly
pro?tected hoverflies in Serbia, such as intensive land use and degradation
of habitats. Addition?ally, global warming also affects flowering plants
that syrphids are dependent on, which could present another obstacle to
their future range expansions. These results can contribute to planning
future steps for the conservation of strictly protected hoverfly species.