A recent study conducted by Exeter, Manchester Metropolitan, and Cambridge universities found that two-thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are experiencing new temperature conditions due to climate change. KBAs are crucial locations on Earth for species and their habitats, making these findings particularly concerning. Over the past 30 years, research shows that 66% of KBAs in tropical forests have shifted to new “temperature regimes,” with more than 40% of temperature measurements falling outside the previously recorded range. The remaining 34% of KBAs have not yet experienced these changes, leading researchers to believe they may serve as important refuges for biodiversity.
The findings have significant implications for global biodiversity conservation efforts, especially as the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve at least 30% of land area worldwide by 2030. The draft target specifically highlights the importance of KBAs in achieving this goal. Dr. Alexander Lees from Manchester Metropolitan University emphasizes the need for increased political and economic investment in protecting biodiversity, especially in light of the ongoing impact of climate change on these critical habitats. The study underscores the importance of considering the effects of climate change in conservation prioritization efforts, highlighting the need for “climate-smart” policies to safeguard these vital refuges for biodiversity.
The study utilized temperature measurements, satellite data, and a microclimate model to analyze near-ground hourly temperatures in tropical KBAs across the world. The research revealed that KBAs in Africa and Latin America were particularly affected by new temperature regimes, with 72% and 59% experiencing shifts, respectively. In contrast, fewer KBAs in Asia and Oceania underwent similar changes, with only 49% transitioning to new temperatures. Some KBAs in Latin America, particularly in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama, have experienced almost entirely new temperature regimes, indicating the severity of climate change impacts on these regions.
The protection of KBAs is crucial for preserving biodiversity, but formal protection status is determined by national governments in identified areas. The study points out that more than half of the tropical forest KBAs not yet experiencing new temperature regimes are currently unprotected. This underscores the urgent need for conservation initiatives that prioritize the protection of these vital refuges for biodiversity. Dr. Brittany Trew from Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute stresses the vulnerability of species in tropical forests to new temperature regimes, as they have evolved under very specific conditions and may only tolerate a narrow range of temperature changes above what they are accustomed to.
The paper, published in the journal Conservation Letters, is titled “Identifying climate-smart tropical Key Biodiversity Areas for protection in response to widespread temperature novelty.” The research findings are particularly timely, given the upcoming United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia. The study’s results highlight the urgent need for strategic conservation efforts that take into account the impact of climate change on biodiversity hotspots, emphasizing the importance of protecting these critical habitats for the preservation of global biodiversity.
