Protecting nature begins with science. Here is a summary of recent science published by Conservation International Experts.
1. About 40 percent or plant species are at risk or extinction
Almost 40 percent of global plant species are classified as “very rare”, observed less than five times, and have the greatest risk of extinction as climate change accelerates, according to a recent report.
International Conservation Scientist Patrick Roehrdanz and other researchers worked for a decade to compile and evaluate more than 20 million observational records of land plants in the largest collection of data in the world or this type ever gathered.
What they found: of the 435,000 known earth plants that are found on Earth, some amazing 158,000 or are at risk of extinction. The researchers pointed out climate change and the loss of habitat for the participation of the lion in the loss of plants in recent years, which can soon lead to a massive extinction of rare plants that could significantly reduce the diversity of plants throughout the Homld world.
“When mapping where strange species are produced, we are better to highlight the dual threats of climate change and the human impact on the regions that house much of the strange species of plants in the world,” Roehrdanz said. “This research emphasizes the need for strategic conservation to protect these cribs from biodiversity.”
2. Plant species in New Guinea face an uncertain future
Climate change threatens plant species at one of the unique wildlife points of the world, according to a new study.
A biological tropical island, New Guinea, houses more than 9,000 species of plants that exist only in this southern Pacific region. In this study, scientists developed a system to understand the current ranges where unique thesis species are found, and predict how their future ranges could be depliting in several scenarios of climate change, such as longer winter summers. The results were worrisome.
According to the study, approximately 63 percent of these plant species are expected to have a narrower geographical range by 2070, resulting in an average loss or 30 to 110 species in different regions.
“The changing ranges of these species of plants will have serious consequences on the environment and human well -being in New Guinea,” said Roehrdanz, co -author in this document. “Indigenous peoples in this area depend on these foods for food, medicine and construction.”
These plant species are also intertwined in the cultural heritage of many indigenous communities in New Guinea are often used for clothing and rituals. Understanding the possible consequences of climate change in the species of plants of New Guinea could help protect the communities of nature in which they depend and identify the areas where conservation initiatives and forest restoration projects collect the greatest impact.
3. As marine life moves, ocean conservation must adapt
A recent report recommends new forms for ocean conservation efforts to respond to climate change impacts.
Protected marine areas (MP) are from the ocean where human activities are limited, are the cornerstone of ocean conservation, but the impacts of the climatic crisis could undermine its effectiveness. Water heating and ocean acidification are causing fish species to move to different regions of the ocean, which raises unique challenges for sustainable managed fisheries.
“The report emphasizes the need for new tools that constantly update fishermen as marine species move,” said Lee Hannah, the main scientist of the biology of climate change in International Conservation and co -author of the study. “They are not just Nemo and Dory who are riding changing currents, way.”
The report describes eight guidelines for countries to create a global MPA network that can actively respond to the impacts of the climatic crisis, such as the creation of a global database of new ocean management techniques to ensure that all the most and resilient personnel.
“This research can help countries develop intelligent climatic MPA that will protect the ocean, while retaining the fish on which millions of people depend around the world for food and jobs,” said Hannah. “Marine life is moving around the world, and we have to be ready to handle change as it comes.”
Patrick Roehrdanz is a managing scientist at Conservation International. Lee Hannah is the main scientist of the biology of climate change in Conservation International. Kiley Price is personnel writer at Conservation International. Why read more stories like this? Register to get updates by email here. Done to Conservation International here.
Cover image: fish in Kiribati, near Australia. (© cat holloway)
This work was generously supported WWF-UK and the International Association of Arizona State University and conservation.
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