Unraveling the Role of Climate Regions and Biodiversity
The geography of climate and the global patterns of species diversity
Traditionally, climate’s impact on global biodiversity was understood in terms of temperature and humidity. However, a new study shifts this perspective, considering the size and fragmentation of climate regions. The research shows that larger and more isolated climate regions support higher biodiversity among terrestrial animals. By considering both climate characteristics and its geographical attributes, researchers can explain nearly 90% of global species richness. This nuanced understanding highlights the importance of both climate size and isolation in supporting diverse ecosystems, providing valuable insights for biodiversity conservation efforts.
Coelho, M.T.P., Barreto, E., Rangel, T.F. et al. The geography of climate and the global patterns of species diversity. Nature (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06577-5
