Back to Search Start Over

Geographical variation in species' population responses to changes in temperature and precipitation.

Authors :
Pearce-Higgins JW
Ockendon N
Baker DJ
Carr J
White EC
Almond RE
Amano T
Bertram E
Bradbury RB
Bradley C
Butchart SH
Doswald N
Foden W
Gill DJ
Green RE
Sutherland WJ
Tanner EV
Source :
Proceedings. Biological sciences [Proc Biol Sci] 2015 Nov 07; Vol. 282 (1818), pp. 20151561.
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

Despite increasing concerns about the vulnerability of species' populations to climate change, there has been little overall synthesis of how individual population responses to variation in climate differ between taxa, with trophic level or geographically. To address this, we extracted data from 132 long-term (greater than or equal to 20 years) studies of population responses to temperature and precipitation covering 236 animal and plant species across terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Our results identify likely geographical differences in the effects of climate change on populations and communities in line with macroecological theory. Temperature tended to have a greater overall impact on populations than precipitation, although the effects of increased precipitation varied strongly with latitude, being most positive at low latitudes. Population responses to increased temperature were generally positive, but did not vary significantly with latitude. Studies reporting significant climatic trends through time tended to show more negative effects of temperature and more positive effects of precipitation upon populations than other studies, indicating climate change has already impacted many populations. Most studies of climate change impacts on biodiversity have focused on temperature and are from middle to high northern latitudes. Our results suggest their findings may be less applicable to low latitudes.<br /> (© 2015 The Author(s).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1471-2954
Volume :
282
Issue :
1818
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Proceedings. Biological sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
26511054
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.1561