The global average temperature is increasing faster than many species can adapt. In the last 37 years, there has been an increase of 1,11 degrees, which may seem insignificant; however, the reality is very different.
This change, however small, causes a serious impact on nature, as confirmed by a study of 1166 species of animals and plants carried out by Diana E. Bowler, from the Senckberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (Germany) together with other researchers from the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC).
Animals and plants are used to living in a certain area, so much so that if you take a, for example, a Nordic animal to the Sahara desert it would have a very bad time and it would have many difficulties to adapt; On the other hand, if that same animal were in an area where the weather conditions were similar to those in its place of origin, it would adapt without problems and could even become naturalized and eliminate native species.
This, even if it is just an example, is already happening. Terrestrial species used to living in warm areas are expanding while populations of cold areas species are decreasing. And if we talk about aquatic animals, according to the study, fish from temperate waters are moving towards the North Sea, where the temperature is cooler.
To reach these conclusions, The researchers analyzed a compilation of studies of 1758 local populations, with a total of 1166 species from 40 classes, among which were mammals, birds, lichens, plants, etc. Until now, only one, two or maximum three specific species had been investigated. This is the first investigation that groups such a large number of animals and plants.
Thanks to these kinds of studies, »we can provide answers to some of the most important ecological questions of our time, Bowler said.
You can read it here (It is in English).