The geological past portends a painful future for biodiversity, according to the University of Oxford

he Climate change It grows greatly and Affects biodiversity. During the history of life on Earth, countless species have become extinct as a result. In the past, it was often caused by volcanic activity, which caused natural changes in the area Greenhouse gases. Since the beginning of the industrial era (around 1750), levels of greenhouse gases have increased in the atmosphere, greatly affecting Earth's temperature.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “Give Priority is preserving nature and adopt strategies to enhance Adaptation to climate change “It can improve the survival of species.”

In their quest to understand the factors that make animals vulnerable to extinction due to climate change, a group of researchers from Stanford University Oxford university Used as a subject of study Fossil records. Their discoveries were published in the journal Sciences.

It can mean results Identification card It is one of those species that are today most at risk from human-caused global warming.

The entire fossil record and its location in fossiliferous rock formations and sedimentary layers is known as the fossil record. The researchers decided to study the fossil record specifically for Marine invertebrates During the past 485 million years. Among them were sea urchins, oysters, snails and others. They chose this type of fossil because records of marine invertebrates are rich and well-studied.

The researchers, led by the University of Oxford, used about 290,000 fossil records, also belonging to more than 9,200 genera. From their analysis, they collected a group of Attribute data Many of them have not yet been studied in depth, which may effectively affect the ability to resist extinction.

To develop a model that understands the factors that were relevant in determining Danger of extinction During climate change, the features in the analysis are incorporated into climate simulation data.

“Our study revealed that geographic range was the strongest predictor of marine invertebrate extinction risk, but the magnitude of climate change is also an important factor,” Cooper-Malanowski said. Physics Organization.one of the study's authors, from the Department of Earth Sciences.

Through the study, it was found that the species exposed to… Big climate changeThey were more vulnerable to extinction. Specifically, species that experienced temperature changes of 7 degrees Celsius or more across geological stages were significantly more susceptible More likely to disappear.

It was also discovered that those species that were found in areas Extreme weather eventsLike the polar regions, they were more vulnerable to extinction. Especially animals that can only live in a limited range of temperatures (less than 15 degrees Celsius).

Cooper-Malanowski announced Physics Organization“In particular, our model suggests that species with restricted thermal ranges below 15°C, which live in the poles or the tropics, are likely to be most at risk of extinction. However, if local climate change is large enough , it could lead to A major extinction event worldwide, A. is likely to come close “Sixth mass extinction”.

But the strongest indicator of the risk of species death was Geographical scope size. Those found in a smaller distribution area were closer to danger. he measuring physical Another important factor was that species with larger bodies were less likely to become extinct.

The effect of traits on species cumulativeThat is, the more traits a species has, the more susceptible it is to them vanishement.

Lead author Professor Erin Sope (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford) said. Physics Organization: “Evidence from the geological past suggests that global biodiversity is facing a… Painful futureIn light of expected estimates of climate change.

Given that current human-induced climate change is already pushing many species to the brink of extinction, these discoveries may do just that. Help identify animals Who are most at risk and inform them Strategies to Protect them.

Researchers from the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol also participated in this study. Dan Lunt, from the University of Bristol, said: “This study shows that throughout Earth’s history, the risk of extinction of marine life has been closely linked to climate change. This should serve as a stern warning to humanity and we are doing this recklessly.”