Temperature Changes Threat to Key Biodiversity Areas in Tropical Forests

New Study Reveals Extreme Temperature Changes Threatening Key Biodiversity Areas in Tropical Forests

A recent study published in Conservation Letters has highlighted that up to 66% of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are now experiencing unprecedented extreme temperature changes. These shifts pose a significant threat to the diverse plant and animal life within these critical ecosystems.

What are Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)?

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are regions of great importance for sustaining global biodiversity. They encompass land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems that are prioritized for conservation efforts, particularly within the framework established in the post-2020 global biodiversity agenda, adopted in December 2022.

Global Biodiversity Framework

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by the year 2030. A key goal of this initiative is to protect at least 30% of the world’s land by 2030, making KBAs an integral part of these conservation strategies.

Temperature Changes and Their Impact

The study reveals that average annual temperature changes are affecting KBAs in tropical forests unevenly across different regions:

• 72% in Africa

• 59% in Latin America

• 49% in Asia and Oceania

These shifting temperatures threaten the species in tropical forests, which have evolved in climates that were previously stable under the forest canopy.

Challenges for Species

Tropical forests are characterized by consistent, mild temperatures, and many species have adapted to thrive in these stable conditions. The rising temperatures now pose a challenge for these species, making them increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Regional Findings

The research indicates that approximately 2.9% of KBAs in Latin America and 4.9% in Asia and Oceania are experiencing nearly entirely new temperature patterns. Regions in Ecuador, Colombia, the Philippines, and Indonesia are particularly affected, while northern Australia’s tropical forests have seen fewer temperature fluctuations.

Protection of KBAs

Currently, about 34% of tropical forest KBAs are not experiencing these extreme temperature changes, and more than half of these areas are under protection. However, in Asia and Oceania, 23% of KBAs that have yet to face these temperature changes lack adequate protection.

What Needs to be Done?

The authors of the study emphasize the urgent need for ‘climate-smart’ policies aimed at safeguarding these vital areas. Such policies should focus on halting deforestation, restoring large forest areas, and mitigating the effects of climate change and habitat degradation. Without prompt action, the biodiversity within the affected KBAs could face severe repercussions.

In summary, the findings of this study underscore the critical need for immediate conservation efforts and innovative policies to protect Key Biodiversity Areas from the escalating impacts of climate change. These measures are essential not only for preserving biodiversity but also for maintaining the ecological balance that supports life on Earth.