Just one degree can change a species

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.”