It’s no secret that major changes in climate can affect species. But how much change does it take? Researchers in Norway took a glimpse into the past and found that in some cases, just a little warming can have a big impact on a species. Looking at museum collections, the team found that just one degree resulted in fewer nesting birds, earlier flower blooming and a plunge in zooplankton in the water. They published their findings in Ecology and Evolution.
“Natural history collections can provide unique insight into a wide range of ecological responses over a period of time that is much greater than what most ecological monitoring programs manage,” said James D. M. Speed, a professor in the Department of Natural History at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s University Museum.
“So the collections are an essential and invaluable source for ecological research over time.”
Article by The Wildlife Society
