Climate Change Threatens One Out Of Six Species To Extinction, New Study Reveals

In every six species one could be at risk of facing extinction due to climate change, a new study reveals. Different plant and animal species in South America face the greater risk.

A May 1 published report found in the journal Science says that species from South America face much greater risk, about more than 4 times higher than the risk in U.S. and Canada species. On the other hand, species from Australia and New Zealand were found to have an extinction risk more than double that of the North America species.

The study also found that the small masses spread in New Zealand and Australia will only mean that many species will fail to cope with rising temperatures due to lack of migration habitats.

If there is no action against climate change, the risk for extinction of some of these species is “very high,” according to Mark C. Urban, author of the study. "If you look out your window and count six species and think that one of those will potentially disappear, that’s quite profound,” he said in an account by The Guardian.

A National Geographic report also stated that scientists have calculated what animal or plant species will likely face extinction due to climate change. In a 2013 study, it was predicted 82 percent of freshwater fish native to California could head to oblivion or face population decline.

Some of the species found to be at risk include the South American species yellow crested and blue-backed manakins; the tuatara in New Zealand, which is at risk since it only lays female eggs when their nests are cool; and the Lumholtz tree kangaroo and golden-shouldered parrots from Australia.

Unfortunately, Urban’s study also noted that even if governments aim for 2C (limiting the rise in temperature by 2-degree Celsius) one in every 20 species could still head for extinction, as reported in The Guardian.

If greenhouse gas emissions resulting from manmade activities continue, one in six species will face extinction. Urban acknowledges that his study has limitations,as there is insufficient data from Asian regions, and there are also other factors to be considered, including how climate change affects prey-predator balance.

Nevertheless, the study highlights that even though some species can avoid extinction, climate changes can bring significant changes that can affect their total population.

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