Researchers have identified climate change as a critical threat to global wildlife, alongside habitat alteration and overexploitation. A new study highlights the increasing impact of climate change on biodiversity and underscores the importance of understanding its effects on often-overlooked species to inform policy decisions. We are currently undergoing the sixth known mass extinction, with extinction rates estimated to be 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the expected background rate.
Traditionally, overexploitation and habitat alteration were considered the primary drivers of extinction. However, recent findings reveal that climate change is also a significant threat. The study, led by Professor William Ripple of Oregon State University, analyzed data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, covering 70,814 species across 35 taxonomic classes.
The results indicate that approximately 5.1% of assessed animal species are directly threatened by climate change, with particular concern for invertebrates. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heat waves, marine heat waves, and storms. These events have already led to significant mass mortality events, including the loss of 7,000 humpback whales in the North Pacific due to shifting ocean conditions, and the disappearance of 10 billion snow crabs from the Bering Sea, likely due to starvation caused by a marine heatwave.
The cascading effects of more frequent mass mortality events are likely to affect carbon cycle feedbacks and nutrient cycling,” says Dr. Ripple.
Climate’s threat to wildlife understood
These effects will also impact species interactions such as predation, competition, pollination, and parasitism, which are vital for ecosystem function.
In addition to extreme weather events, climate change is gradually altering habitat suitability, shifting the ranges of some species, and impacting entire ecosystems.
While some species may adapt, global temperature increases can lead to changes in physiology, behavior, life cycles, distribution, and interactions among species. We may be approaching tipping points regarding the impact of climate change on Earth’s animals. Future extinction risks and mass mortalities are anticipated to rise and accelerate with each fraction of a degree increase in global temperatures,” the authors warn.
The study reveals a data bias towards vertebrate species, which account for less than 6% of named animal species, and highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on invertebrates. We are particularly concerned about invertebrate animals in the ocean, which absorb most of the heat from climate change,” says Ripple. “These animals are increasingly vulnerable because of their limited ability to move and evade adverse conditions.”
Invertebrates play crucial roles in ecosystem processes and food chains, but are often overlooked.
Further research is necessary to understand the impact of climate change on these vital species. Understanding the risk is crucial for making informed policy decisions. We need a global database on mass mortality events due to climate change for all ecosystems and a focus on assessing currently ignored species,” Ripple concludes.
Researchers urge immediate action to mitigate climate change impacts and protect global biodiversity, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data and informed policymaking.
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