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Hottest year in recorded history compounds global biodiversity risks
Cory Merow1,2,3, Brian S Maitner1,2,4, Andreas Schwarz Meyer5
1Eversource Energy Center, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06066.
Summary
In 2024, the hottest year recorded, one in six vertebrate species faced unprecedented heat exposure across over 25% of their ranges. This alarming trend highlights the escalating climate change impacts on global biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation action.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and environmental science
- Climate change biology
- Conservation science
Background:
- Accelerating climate change necessitates urgent biodiversity monitoring and management.
- Global temperatures are rising, with 2024 being the hottest year on record.
- Understanding species' exposure to extreme heat is critical for assessing climate change impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify vertebrate species exposed to unprecedented heat in 2024.
- To evaluate the potential impact of record-breaking temperatures on global biodiversity.
- To inform conservation strategies using species exposure data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of global temperature data for 2024 against historical records.
- Assessment of exposure to unprecedented heat across the ranges of over 33,000 vertebrate species.
- Comparison of species exposure data between 2023 and 2024 to identify compounding risks.
Main Results:
- One in six (5,368) vertebrate species experienced unprecedented heat across >25% of their range in 2024.
- Species exposure increased by 68% compared to 2023.
- 81% of species exposed in 2023 were also exposed in 2024, indicating compounding risks.
- Widespread species experienced extreme temperatures across >10% of their ranges for the first time.
Conclusions:
- Record-breaking 2024 temperatures significantly increased unprecedented heat exposure for vertebrate species globally.
- Compounding heat exposure risks threaten biodiversity, particularly for species affected in consecutive years.
- Species exposure estimates are vital for developing targeted monitoring and mitigation strategies to address climate change impacts on biodiversity.
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