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Extensive climate-induced range shifts in butterflies across the globe
Shawan Chowdhury1, Upama Aich2,3, Laura H Antão4,5
1School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. shawan.chowdhury@monash.edu.
Nature Ecology & Evolution
|August 5, 2026
Summary
Global changes are causing species to move. Butterfly range shifts are mainly driven by climate change and extreme weather, with most species expanding their ranges.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Climate Change Biology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Global changes are driving significant species redistribution worldwide.
- Assessing species range shift dynamics and their causes is challenging due to spatial and taxonomic variations in detection.
- Butterflies serve as key indicators for ecological changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile and analyze documented butterfly range shift records globally.
- To identify the primary drivers of observed range shifts in butterfly species.
- To highlight regional differences in range shift patterns, particularly in tropical regions.
Main Methods:
- Compiled range shift data for 1,758 butterfly species across 105 countries.
- Analyzed patterns of range expansion, contraction, and elevational shifts.
- Integrated diverse data sources, including expert assessments and non-English literature, to mitigate biases.
Main Results:
- 80% of studied butterfly species exhibited range expansions.
- Climate change and extreme weather events were linked to 79% of range shifts.
- Widespread horizontal shifts were observed globally, with notable expansions and contractions in tropical countries.
- Elevational shifts were less common, especially in the tropics.
Conclusions:
- Climate change is a primary driver of butterfly range shifts, necessitating urgent conservation actions.
- Inclusive data monitoring and conservation strategies are crucial, especially for tropical regions facing land-use pressures.
- Combining diverse data sources is essential for a comprehensive understanding of species range dynamics.
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