Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Species richness changes lag behind climate change.
AU - Menéndez, Rosa
AU - González Megías, Adela
AU - Hill, Jane K.
AU - Braschler, Brigitte
AU - Willis, Stephen G.
AU - Collingham, Yvonne
AU - Fox, Richard
AU - Roy, David B.
AU - Thomas, Chris D.
PY - 2006/6/22
Y1 - 2006/6/22
N2 - Species-energy theory indicates that recent climate warming should have driven increases in species richness in cool and species-poor parts of the Northern Hemisphere. We confirm that the average species richness of British butterflies has increased since 1970–82, but much more slowly than predicted from changes of climate: on average, only one-third of the predicted increase has taken place. The resultant species assemblages are increasingly dominated by generalist species that were able to respond quickly. The time lag is confirmed by the successful introduction of many species to climatically suitable areas beyond their ranges. Our results imply that it may be decades or centuries before the species richness and composition of biological communities adjusts to the current climate.
AB - Species-energy theory indicates that recent climate warming should have driven increases in species richness in cool and species-poor parts of the Northern Hemisphere. We confirm that the average species richness of British butterflies has increased since 1970–82, but much more slowly than predicted from changes of climate: on average, only one-third of the predicted increase has taken place. The resultant species assemblages are increasingly dominated by generalist species that were able to respond quickly. The time lag is confirmed by the successful introduction of many species to climatically suitable areas beyond their ranges. Our results imply that it may be decades or centuries before the species richness and composition of biological communities adjusts to the current climate.
KW - biodiversity
KW - butterflies
KW - climate change
KW - species richness
U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2006.3484
DO - 10.1098/rspb.2006.3484
M3 - Journal article
VL - 273
SP - 1465
EP - 1470
JO - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
JF - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
SN - 0962-8452
IS - 1593
ER -