If society values them enough, some species threatened by climate disruption could benefit from immediate relocation, especially small and vulnerable populations that need time to grow before risking translocation losses, an international group of researchers wrote in a climate change journal article published this week.
The paper is an effort at creating a pragmatic framework for deciding when, if ever, to move species in the face of climate change. University of Queensland and United States Geological Survey researchers also contributed to the research.
“As our climate changes more rapidly than species can adapt or disperse, natural resource managers increasingly want to know what adaptation options are available to help them conserve biodiversity," said Dr. Eve McDonald-Madden, of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization.
Managed relocation of species involves moving plants or animals from an area that is, or will become, untenable because of climate change, to areas where there are more suitable climatic conditions but in which the plants or animals have not occurred previously. It's sometimes called assisted colonization. Read the full report here.
Source: by Bob Berwyn, Summit County Voice.
