Gretta T. Pecl, Miguel B. Araújo, Johann D. Bell et al

Science

Published date March 31, 2017

Biodiversity redistribution under climate change: Impacts on ecosystems and human well-being

  • States that the ability of natural ecosystems to deliver ecosystem services is being challenged by the largest climate-driven global redistribution of species since the Last Glacial Maximum
  • Meta-analyses show that, on average, terrestrial taxa move poleward by 17 km per decade and marine taxa by 72 km per decade
  • Reviews evidence that climate-driven species redistribution at regional to global scales affects ecosystem functioning, human well-being, and the dynamics of climate change itself
  • Demonstrates the serious consequences of this species redistribution for economic development, livelihoods, food security, human health, and culture, and documents feedbacks on climate
  • Shows that production of natural resources required for food security, patterns of disease transmission, and processes of carbon sequestration are all altered by changes in species distribution
  • Concludes that consideration of these effects of biodiversity redistribution is critical, yet notes that it lacking in most mitigation and adaptation strategies