As the climate changes, species are increasingly moving to track suitable environmental conditions. Whether they can successfully shift their distributions depends not only on changing temperatures and precipitation, but also on the connectivity of landscapes that allow individuals to disperse between suitable habitats.
Fragmented ecosystems, intensive land use, and other human barriers can prevent species from reaching newly suitable areas, leaving populations isolated even when appropriate habitat exists elsewhere. Understanding where and how species are moving is becoming increasingly important for conservation planning and for designing connected landscapes that remain functional under future climates.
Chowdhury, S., Aich, U., Antão, L.H. et al. 2026. Extensive climate-induced range shifts in butterflies across the globe. Nature Ecology & Evolution. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-026-03117-y
A recent global study examined climate-driven range shifts in butterflies, one of the world’s best indicators of environmental change. Researchers compiled records for over 1,700 butterfly species from 109 countries, representing about 10% of all known butterfly species.
The dataset combined published studies in 15 languages with expert assessments, creating one of the most comprehensive global syntheses of insect range shifts to date. Researchers also evaluated the primary drivers behind observed changes, including climate change, severe weather, habitat loss, and agricultural intensification.
The analysis found widespread evidence that butterflies are redistributing across the globe. Approximately 81% of species that shifted their ranges expanded horizontally into new areas, with climate change and extreme weather identified as the primary causes. Range expansions were especially common in tropical regions, where relatively little information on insect responses has previously been available.
At the same time, 27% of species experienced range contractions, while 22% shifted their elevational distributions. Nearly one in five species showed different types of range shifts in different parts of their distributions, highlighting that responses to climate change are often complex rather than uniform.
These findings reinforce the importance of maintaining and restoring ecological connectivity. As butterflies and other species move to follow suitable climates, connected networks of habitat can increase the likelihood that populations successfully colonize new areas while maintaining genetic exchange across landscapes.
Conversely, fragmented habitats may prevent dispersal even when climate conditions become favorable elsewhere. The authors conclude that conservation strategies should account for ongoing species redistribution by expanding long-term monitoring, particularly in tropical regions, and incorporating invertebrates into biodiversity assessments and conservation policy. Protecting connected landscapes today will improve the ability of butterflies and countless other species to adapt to tomorrow’s changing climate.
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