August 17, 2012

Studies shed light on why species stay or go in response to climate change




Two new studies by scientists at UC Berkeley provide a clearer picture of why some species move in response to climate change, and where they go.

One study, published online Monday, Aug. 6, in the journal Global Change Biology, finds that changes in precipitation have been underappreciated as a factor in driving bird species out of their normal range. In the other study, published today (Wednesday, Aug. 15) in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, researchers found a sharp decrease in range for the Belding’s ground squirrel, but noted some surprising areas where the species found refuge.