Endemism hotspots are linked to stable climatic refugia

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Biogeography
• Ecology
• Conservation science

Background:

• Centres of endemism, areas with high concentrations of unique species, are of significant interest across multiple scientific disciplines.
• Climatic stability is frequently proposed as a primary driver for the formation of these endemic centres.
• The relationship between endemism and climatic stability is crucial for understanding biodiversity persistence in the face of current climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the evidence linking geographic centres of endemism with climatic stability throughout evolutionary history.
• To investigate whether macroecological analyses and comparative studies support the endemism-stability hypothesis.
• To assess the future stability of endemic centres and their capacity to support biodiversity, considering conservation implications.

Main Methods:

• Review of macroecological analyses examining the distribution of endemic species.
• Analysis of comparative studies on traits of endemic versus widely distributed species.
• Evaluation of climate change velocity models and refugia identification (microrefugia and macrorefugia).

Main Results:

• Recent research supports the hypothesis that centres of endemism are associated with past mild climatic fluctuations and topographical or oceanic features creating refugia.
• Understanding of trait differences between narrow endemic and widespread species remains limited.
• Endemic centres are predicted to experience relative climatic buffering in the future, though substantial climate change and species loss are still anticipated.

Conclusions:

• The link between endemism and climatic stability is supported by evidence of past refugia formation.
• Further research is needed on species traits to fully understand adaptation in endemic populations.
• Conservation strategies must consider the potential for significant biodiversity loss even in climatically buffered endemic centres.