Current climate change is a challenge for all living things. While there are some species that will benefit, many more will become extinct, leaving a deep void in the ecosystem in which they currently live.
According to a new study co-produced by the University of Queensland (Australia) and published in the scientific journal 'Nature Climate Change', climate change has a greater impact than previously thought on animals.
Some of the animals that may not see the sun rise in the short or medium term are primates and elephants. Ironically, one of their survival strategies that have served them to this day is now their main problem. And it is that, taking care of one or two children had its advantages in the natural environment, because it was easier for all of them to reach adulthood.
However, In a world where change is happening very fast, only those with large offspring will have a good chance of survival.
The researchers, who claim that the impact it had on these animals is underestimated, have used data from 136 studies on 120 species of mammals and 569 of birds. Analyzing the demographic curves, reproduction rates, geographical areas and climatic evolutions of species that are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) They have been able to find out that of the 873 species of mammals on the list, 414 have difficulties adapting to climate change; with respect to birds, the proportion is 23,4% (298 species).
Climate change, made worse by humans, can drive many animals around the world to extinction. Although it is expected that the global average temperature remains below 2ºC compared to the Industrial Revolution, it will be very difficult for scientists to achieve this object.
You can read the study here (In English).