Extinction risk from climate change is increasing

Scientists are now beginning to show animals will become extinct in the coming century because of the effect of climate change. Many animals will not be able to migrate to more suitable areas due to geographical restrictions and will subsequently go extinct, according to a study by Brown University.

It has already been shown that some animals are migrating to cooler regions with the warming of the planet, but this study suggests more needs to be done to assist some species, especially those that are most vulnerable to climate change.

One of the big problems is that large urban areas could prevent certain species from migrating and in some cases the geography and topography of the landscape also prevents migration.

This study combined climate models with data on ranges and tolerances of different species of amphibians in the western USA. They found a definite disrupting effect of cities and that short term fluctuations in climate also stopped migration and cut off the species from ideal habitats. According to their study half of the 15 species studied would become extinct or severely endangered by the end of the century.

The example of the California newt is typical says Dr. Regan Early, who helped conduct the study, "This species isn't endangered now, and in the future there is more than enough suitable habitat for it to remain safe, but…the newt has a really hard time following its climate path to its future range because repeated climatic fluctuations cause it to retreat over and over again."