Arctic plant research suggests rate of climate change threatens to outstrip species’ ability to adapt

A research group at the Finnish Museum of Natural History is investigating the adaptive capacity of plant species in a warming climate. Their recent research examines the Siberian primrose, a plant species that lives on the coasts of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Arctic Ocean. Climate change threatens the survival of species.

The paper will be published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

“The Siberian primrose is a good example of a species threatened by rapidly advancing climate change. Geographical constraints prevent it from moving to more favorable conditions, and adaptation to its current habitat is its only survival option. “, says Marko Hyvarinen, an adjunct professor at the university. Finnish Museum of Natural History.

The study reveals that Siberian primroses may only be able to adapt to climate change if they can limit warming in accordance with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. This requires effective mitigation of climate change. Otherwise, Siberian primrose flowers and other important features are unlikely to have time to evolve fast enough to survive changing conditions.

Many wild species have limited ability to adapt to a warming climate

“Our research suggests that the evolutionary potential of wild species is severely limited in the face of rapidly advancing climate change, unless climate change is effectively suppressed. , which means the future of many species is at stake,” says postdoctoral researcher Anina Mattila. Finnish Museum of Natural History.

In particular, for geographically restricted species, such as many specialized plant species surrounded by unsuitable habitats, conservation measures may be necessary to prevent extinction.

This study highlights the need for proactive measures to protect species threatened by climate change. For example, translocations can help species adapt to new conditions.

Knowledge about species’ adaptive capacity from studies such as those on the Siberian primrose can help target conservation actions and motivate the development of ways to conserve species threatened by climate change.

But researchers say the most important action is to limit climate change and allow species to adapt naturally.