Climate Velocity Can Inform Conservation in a Warming World
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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
Published on: March 31, 2023
Isaac Brito-Morales1, Jorge García Molinos2, David S Schoeman3
1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere, BioSciences Precinct (QBP), St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
Abstract:
Climate change is shifting the ranges of species. Simple predictive metrics of range shifts such as climate velocity, that do not require extensive knowledge or data on individual species, could help to guide conservation. We review research on climate velocity, describing the theory underpinning the concept and its assumptions. We highlight how climate velocity has already been applied in conservation-related research, including climate residence time, climate refugia, endemism, historic and projected range shifts, exposure to climate change, and climate connectivity. Finally, we discuss ways to enhance the use of climate velocity in conservation through tailoring it to be more biologically meaningful, informing design of protected areas, conserving ocean biodiversity in 3D, and informing conservation actions.
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