Climate change has caused species to shift between the "better" and "worse" areas of their climatic niches, according to an analysis of long-term monitoring data for over 1,500 species in Finland.
These impacts were most severe at higher latitudes.
The shifting climate in Finland
(Photo : GUERCHOM NDEBO/AFP via Getty Images)
Climate change is occurring at unprecedented rates, especially in the northern hemisphere, posing a serious danger to biodiversity and ecological stability.
Climate change has been shown to cause species to alter their ranges.
We don't know much about how altering climatic circumstances can force species to shift between the "excellent," "optimal," and "bad" areas of their niches, or the conditions that they can tolerate.
A new study conducted by University of Helsinki academics used Finland's unique national treasure trove of long-term monitoring data to uncover the magnitude of climate change's effects.
The researchers analyzed species-specific responses to numerous climatic factors for 1,478 species of birds, mammals, butterflies, moths, plants, and freshwater phytoplankton.
Climate change's many signs raise questions about these ecosystems' long-term viability.
The study's second main author, Benjamin Weigel, explained that if species that rely on one another respond in different ways or to different conditions, it can have an impact on entire groups and ecosystems.
The research sheds light on how climate change is affecting biodiversity.
"Community changes in our study were mostly driven by species being favored or disfavored by climate change, and hence appearing more or less frequently in local species combinations," explains Anna-Liisa Laine, a senior author of the paper, as per ScienceDaily.
Also Read: Scientists Warn Decline in Animal Biodiversity Hints 6th Mass Extinction Has Started
Vulnerabilities of animal biodiversity in Finland
Finland is home to all of Europe's great carnivores, including brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx, and wolverine, as well as the sole remaining population of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, as per IUCN.
In 1923, Finland passed its first Nature Conservation Act, which focused on the protection of particular species and natural monuments, as well as the construction of protected areas.
The Nature Conservation Act, as amended in 1997, strived to protect natural variety.
Animals' adaptive potential has definite genetic boundaries.
If a change happens too quickly, not all creatures will be able to adjust, as per Climate Change Post.
As catastrophic climatic events grow more regular and unexpected, animals will likely find it increasingly difficult to adapt.
Finland has a diverse range of game species, including 34 mammalian and 26 avian species.
Elk is by far the most significant, with roughly 60,000-70,000 animals shot annually and a meat value of around EUR 40 million.
The harvest is important in elk population dynamics since the winter population is roughly 120,000.
Elk are not only valuable game animals, but they also cause significant forest damage and traffic collisions.
Warming temperatures and diminishing snow cover will help elk the most. As a result, food will be more readily available, and population management will become even more crucial than it is now.
Several game birds and small animals are expected to find the future winter temperature pleasant, and their populations may rise if big yearly changes are reduced.
Related article: Large Mammals Can Play a Major Role in Reducing Effects of Climate Change
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