Climate change in Europe between 90 and 50 kyr BP and Neanderthal territorial habitability

has been discussed at length over time through modelling and field experiments for various animal and plant species (for a review see McPeek [51]). We have evidence that some sites were occupied probably at the same time by Homo sapiens and Neanderthal [52], demonstrating that the two species had the same taste in choosing their sites. In addition, Neanderthals had long since begun a demographic decline while Homo sapi- ens could count on influxes of new individuals from Africa and partly from Asia, increasing the indirect effect on the demographic performance of Neanderthals. Conclusion Our research has reconstructed the areas ecologically suitable for Neanderthal occupation in Europe between 90 and 50 kyr BP. We have shown that some of these areas have remained constant, others have changed in extent, and others have disappeared. We compared the evolu- tion of these areas over time, and note that in the most recent periods analyzed, there was not a significant decrease in suitable areas. We therefore propose that environmental factors in Europe as a whole were unlikely to be responsible for predisposing to the disappearance of Neanderthals. Supporting information S1 File. Neanderthal fossil sites. (PDF) S2 File. Treatment of the climate data. (PDF) S3 File. Friction and carrying capacity. (PDF) S4 File. ROC analysis. (PDF) S5 File. Variables contribution to the model. (PDF) S6 File. Percentage of ecological niches suitable to Neanderthals. (PDF) Acknowledgments This research is the result of much hard work, and we would like to thank V. Fabre, A. Cade-

nas, M. Coulon, T. Ibrahim Hassan who briefly accompanied us. Author Contributions Conceptualization: Anna Degioanni, Sandrine Cabut, Silvana Condemi, Robin S. Smith. Data curation: Anna Degioanni, Sandrine Cabut, Silvana Condemi, Robin S. Smith. Formal analysis: Anna Degioanni, Sandrine Cabut, Silvana Condemi, Robin S. Smith. Funding acquisition: Anna Degioanni, Sandrine Cabut, Silvana Condemi. Investigation: Anna Degioanni, Sandrine Cabut, Silvana Condemi, Robin S. Smith. Methodology: Anna Degioanni, Sandrine Cabut, Silvana Condemi, Robin S. Smith. PLOS ONE Neanderthal habitability PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308690 February 26, 2025 14 / 17