Over 3,500 animal species face significant threats from climate change, which signals a rising existential crisis for Earth’s wildlife.
Until now, habitat loss and overexploitation were the primary causes of biodiversity decline, said William Ripple, lead author and ecology professor at Oregon State University. But climate change is poised to become a third critical threat as it intensifies worldwide.
Extensive Analysis of Animal Vulnerability
The research team analyzed data on 70,814 species from 35 animal classes using biodiversity databases. They classified species by climate risk using assessments from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
At least 25% of species in six animal classes, including arachnids, centipedes, and marine invertebrates like corals, are threatened by climate change.
Other animal groups show smaller but still significant exposure to warming threats.
INVERTEBRATES FACE HEIGHTENED RISKS
Ripple highlighted ocean invertebrates as especially vulnerable.
These creatures have limited ability to move and escape sudden environmental changes.
The ocean absorbs most of the heat from climate change, putting marine life at severe risk.
Mass mortality events from heat waves, wildfires, droughts, and floods increasingly threaten animal communities.
DEVASTATING EXAMPLES OF CLIMATE IMPACT
The study cites a 90% decline in mollusks along Israel’s coast due to rising water temperatures.
In 2021, billions of intertidal invertebrates died during a Pacific Northwest heat dome event.
In 2016, nearly a third of the Great Barrier Reef’s corals perished during a marine heat wave.
Mass deaths also affected vertebrates; about 4 million common murres starved off North America’s coast in 2015-16.
Pacific cod populations fell 71% due to heat-driven changes, and thousands of humpback whales died in the North Pacific.
SIGNIFICANT DATA GAPS IN CLIMATE RISK ASSESSMENT
Despite the urgency, the authors warn that much remains unknown. Only 5.5% of all described wildlife species have been assessed for climate change risks.
Most animal classes (66 out of 101) lack any species assessments by the IUCN. The IUCN Red List favors vertebrates, which represent less than 6% of named animal species globally.
CALLS FOR EXPANDED RESEARCH AND POLICY ACTION
Ripple stressed the need for a global database tracking mass mortality linked to climate change.
He urged more frequent risk assessments across all species and better integration of biodiversity and climate policies.
“Understanding these risks is essential for informed conservation and policy decisions,” he said.
The study received funding support from Roger Worthington and involved collaborators from the US and Mexico.
