Temperate Zone Species Face Greater Extinction Risk, Study Finds

Species living in temperate climates are struggling more with rising temperatures and extreme weather than their counterparts in tropical regions, according to a study published in Nature Climate Change. Researchers from the University of Arizona analyzed nearly 40,000 local biodiversity studies worldwide.

Their findings indicate that 49% of species in temperate zones are experiencing local extinction, a significantly higher rate than the 33% observed in tropical areas. The study examined 5,100 species, including plants, insects, amphibians, fish, birds, and mammals, focusing on locations where population changes have been tracked over decades.

"For decades, researchers generally assumed that species from temperate climate zones were less vulnerable to the effects of climate change," commented Gopal Murali, the lead researcher. "We are surprised by the results of our research, which show that we are not dealing with such a scenario." This contrasts with previous smaller-scale studies that suggested tropical species were disappearing faster.

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For decades, researchers generally assumed that species from temperate climate zones were less vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We are surprised by the results of our research, which show that we are not dealing with such a scenario.

The research team attributes this "cognitive dissonance" to the fact that temperate zones are experiencing more rapid climate shifts than the tropics. While tropical regions saw an average temperature increase of about 1.5 degrees Celsius over the last 25 years, temperate zones experienced a rise of 3.3 degrees Celsius. "The world has changed since 2016," noted researcher John Wiens, who previously observed greater changes in the tropics. "Temperate zones have seen a stronger temperature change, especially at higher altitudes. It is possible that the entire pattern of extinction has simply shifted to a new model in recent decades."

While migration is a theoretical escape for species under climate pressure, the study implies that the pace of change in temperate regions is overwhelming this adaptation mechanism. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about climate change impacts on biodiversity.

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The world has changed since 2016. Temperate zones have seen a stronger temperature change, especially at higher altitudes. It is possible that the entire pattern of extinction has simply shifted to a new model in recent decades.