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Arboreal Mammals Are at Risk Under Climate Change: Insights From a Global Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Dinayadura Kalathma Navanjalie Samanthi De Silva1, Carly Campbell1,2, Grant Hamilton1
1Faculty of Science, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Global Change Biology
|August 8, 2026
Summary
Climate change significantly threatens arboreal mammals, with extreme temperatures driving negative impacts. Research must expand to underrepresented species and regions to inform conservation strategies for these vulnerable mammals.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Climate Change Biology
- Mammalogy
Background:
- Climate change presents substantial risks to biodiversity and ecological networks.
- Arboreal mammals face unique threats due to their specialized habitats and ecological roles.
- Existing research on climate change impacts on arboreal mammals exhibits significant knowledge gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize current knowledge on climate change impacts on arboreal mammals globally.
- To identify phylogenetic and geographic gaps, biases, and future research opportunities.
- To inform conservation strategies for arboreal mammals under changing climate scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines.
- Analysis of 142 studies from 33 countries.
- Meta-analysis of projected range contractions for vulnerable families.
Main Results:
- Significant phylogenetic and geographic gaps identified; many taxa and regions remain understudied.
- Australia and South America are highly studied but inadequately represent arboreal mammal diversity.
- Extreme temperatures are a primary driver of negative impacts; Pseudocheiridae, Cercopithecidae, and Tarsiidae face significant range contractions.
Conclusions:
- Conservation efforts must prioritize vulnerable species and identify climatically suitable areas.
- Habitat protection, restoration, and identification of climate refugia are critical.
- Future research should broaden geographic and taxonomic scope and employ longitudinal studies.
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