The Loss of synchrony

Climate response risks to nature

Some animals are responding to climate change in ways which could threaten their survival, a new study finds.

Scientists showed that migration and breeding of the great tit, puffin, red admiral and other creatures are moving out of step with food supplies.

The researchers say the rapid pace of climate change, together with pressures on habitat, make it difficult for species to adapt.

The study is published in the Royal Society's journal Proceedings B.

A large number of studies in recent years have shown that the behaviour of plants and animals is changing in response to climatic alteration.

Birds are migrating at different times, flowers and larvae are emerging earlier, and fish and insects are moving into new ranges.

The key question is how much this matters - whether these changes impair the prospects for these species, or whether they are appropriate adaptations which will ensure survival...

"The conclusion must be that many species are shifting at an inappropriate rate, out of synchrony with their food sources, and this must in the end be detrimental.

"The point has often been made that temperatures have increased before in the Earth's past; but the rate now is 100 times greater.

"And whereas in those times there were large areas of natural habitat, now it's much more difficult for animals to change or migrate; plus there's loss of genetic diversity, habitat fragmentation - it's just much more difficult for species than 1,000 years ago."



More...

Obviously, additional study is required. However, the early indications are that this is not good.

[edit on 4-11-2005 by loam]