A new study emphasizes the urgent need to tackle climate change to give species the opportunity to evolve and adapt.
A recent research effort from the University of Helsinki highlights the urgent necessity to address climate change so that species can evolve and adjust over time.
A team from the Finnish Museum of Natural History is examining how plant species can adapt in the face of a warming planet. Their recent focus is on the Siberian primrose, a plant found along the shores of the Bothnian Bay and the Arctic Ocean. This species is facing increased threats due to climate change.
“The Siberian primrose illustrates how rapidly advancing climate change can endanger species. It cannot relocate to more suitable environments due to its geographical limitations, meaning that adapting within its existing habitat is its only chance for survival,” explains Adjunct Professor Marko Hyvärinen from the Finnish Museum of Natural History.
The findings indicate that for the Siberian primrose to successfully adapt to climate change, global warming must be restricted in line with the Paris Agreement goals. Efforts to mitigate climate change are essential, or else the flowers and other vital characteristics of the Siberian primrose may not evolve fast enough to survive the shifting conditions.
Many wild species struggle to adapt to a warming world
“Our findings suggest that the ability of wild species to evolve is severely limited due to the rapid pace of climate change. This puts the future of numerous species in jeopardy unless climate change is effectively addressed,” says Postdoctoral Researcher Anniina Mattila from the Finnish Museum of Natural History.
For species that have limited geographical presence, such as many specialized plants surrounded by uninhabitable environments, conservation efforts are crucial to avert extinction.
This study underscores the necessity for proactive strategies to safeguard species vulnerable to climate change. For instance, relocating species might assist them in adjusting to changed conditions. Insights gained from studies like that of the Siberian primrose can effectively inform conservation efforts and inspire new methods for protecting species facing climate threats. However, the researchers warn that the most vital step is to limit climate change, thus enabling species to naturally adapt.
Background:
Significance of the Paris Agreement for species adaptation
The Paris Agreement seeks to maintain the global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveals that global temperatures have already climbed by 1.1 degrees since the pre-industrial period, with the Arctic experiencing warming up to four times quicker. Achieving these targets is increasingly difficult but crucial for allowing species the chance to adapt.
