Photo credit: phys.org
The climate tolerance of animals plays a pivotal role in determining their distribution across the globe. As temperatures rise due to human-induced climate change, many species find their suitable habitats shifting, jeopardizing their survival. This evolving “climate envelope” necessitates that numerous animals adapt to new environments or face existential threats.
Numerous species are experiencing shifts in their available climate niches, often moving towards regions that were once too cool for habitation. This environmental change sees their living spaces retract poleward or upward in altitude, as areas closer to the equator become increasingly inhospitable due to escalating heat.
While creatures that can fly or swim, such as birds and marine life, have the flexibility to move to these emerging niches, many terrestrial animals, especially reptiles and mammals, face significant barriers. These include human-made obstacles, such as roads, and natural barriers like bodies of water, that limit their capacity to migrate and find suitable habitats, often rendering them vulnerable to extinction.
Conservation Challenges
This situation presents a significant challenge for conservationists. Traditionally, the focus has been on preserving species within their current ranges. However, as climate change accelerates, the idea of maintaining the status quo becomes increasingly impractical.
This raises vital questions: Should conservation efforts extend to species that have migrated beyond their original habitats, and should we even consider actively relocating species to ensure their survival? The growing presence of non-native species in slightly cooler regions offers insight into potential future scenarios.
A recent study conducted in northern Wales examined the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus), a nonvenomous species native to Europe but with recent accidental introductions in the UK, notably in Colwyn Bay and London. This snake had been absent from British shores for roughly 300,000 years, a consequence of previous ice ages.
Although the UK populations are thriving, alarming declines have been recorded in their native ranges, potentially linked to climate change impacts.
Unexpected Neighbors
In our investigation of the Aesculapian snakes in north Wales, we discovered intriguing survival strategies. By tracking 21 snakes equipped with radio transmitters over two summers, we found that they frequently seek warmth in human structures, such as buildings and garden compost bins, for shelter and incubation.
Community responses to these snakes have been largely positive, with many residents unaware of their presence due to the snakes’ elusive nature. Their integration into suburban ecosystems raises important ethical questions about managing non-native species effectively.
Should relatively harmless introduced species, which pose no apparent threat to local wildlife, be viewed as invasive? Should conservation regulations advocate for their removal instead of appreciating their role in a changing ecosystem?
At the core of conservation strategy is the commitment to preserving biodiversity. However, the rapid environmental changes necessitate a reevaluation of previously accepted strategies and principles.
The traditional approach to conservation, which relies heavily on national borders and historic ranges, may be outmoded. There is an emerging recognition that climate change-induced shifts in species distribution might require both acceptance and active facilitation of those changes for the sake of ecological resilience.
While unregulated releases of species pose significant biosecurity risks, legitimate conservation actions must also adapt to the complexity of changing ecosystems. Aesculapian snakes are currently under evaluation by governments for consideration as a species of special concern, which could lead to eradication efforts. Such a move would be paradoxical if populations of the species are thriving just outside their historical ranges.
Rather than treating these resilient non-natives as threats, we contend that they should serve as symbols in a broader discussion about conservation practices that incorporate the realities of climate change, thus moving beyond tightly defined historical distributions and national limitations.
Source
phys.org