A new study from Linnaeus University reports that plant and insect diversity in Swedish oak forests increases toward the north. This finding contrasts with established global biodiversity patterns and poses a challenge for the development of climate smart conservation strategies.
Globally, biological diversity is threatened by exploitation and ongoing climate change. Both the climate and species distribution range limits tend to shift faster at higher latitudes, towards the poles. This can compromise the efficacy of current protected areas and suggests that future conservation strategies must adapt to changing climate conditions to be effective.
To address this issue, researchers from Linnaeus University and Linköping University, led by Professor Anders Forsman, conducted extensive surveys of 22 oak forests and associated plant and insect species across Sweden, ranging from latitude 55.6°N to 60.8°N.
The study, published in Geography and Sustainability, shows that northern oak forests host greater biodiversity and higher insect biomass compared to southern regions.
“This was a surprising finding, as it is opposite the latitudinal species richness gradient typically found at larger spatial scales”, explains Dr. Romana Salis.
Another key finding was that neither biodiversity nor the growth rates of oak trees differed significantly between protected and non-protected areas.
The research underscores the importance of developing conservation approaches that account for the dynamic nature of ecosystems and the redistribution of species due to changing climates.
“This indicates that current conservation methods may not adequately safeguard biodiversity as climate patterns shift. These results are significant for policymakers and conservationists working to protect biological diversity and maintain ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. ” says Dr. Salis.
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Publish date : 2024-12-18 05:42:00
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