Temperate zone species face higher local extinction rates due to climate change

A new study reveals that species in temperate zones are experiencing local extinctions due to climate warming at higher rates than tropical species. Researchers analyzed data from 5,151 plant and animal species across 39,157 locations worldwide, comparing contemporary observations with historical data to identify where populations have vanished from their former habitats.

The findings show that in the warmest parts of their ranges, 49 percent of temperate species have undergone local extinctions, compared to 33 percent of tropical species. This pattern was observed across various groups, including plants, insects, vertebrates, and both freshwater and marine organisms.

Crucially, the study found that over 70 percent of species are failing to migrate to cooler habitats. Lead author Gopal Murali of the University of Arizona noted that the results contradict previous scientific assumptions that temperate species were less vulnerable to climate change.