Connectivity & Climate Change
Digests about climate change impacts on connectivity and corridors
Connectivity and climate impact wildlife disease in cities
A multi-city study of urban coyotes shows how connectivity and climate change can interact to shape the distribution of wildlife disease.
Butterflies reveal a global connectivity challenge
A global analysis of more than 1,700 butterfly species reveals widespread climate-driven range shifts, highlighting the importance of connected landscapes that allow species to adapt.
Climate warming disrupts connectivity for terrestrial vertebrates
A global assessment projects that nearly 80% of the world's land area will experience reduced climate connectivity under future warming.
Plant range shifts can help diversity but not prevent global extinctions
Climate-driven plant migrations can help maintain biodiversity, but new research shows that protecting climate refugia and connected landscapes will be essential because species movement alone cannot prevent many future plant extinctions.
Climate models often miss the pace of range shifts
A global assessment of more than 3,500 terrestrial and marine species shows that while observed range shifts often follow the predicted direction, species frequently move much faster than climate models anticipate.
Mapping coral connectivity for smarter restoration
A decade of multi-species modeling shows how climate change shapes coral connectivity, helping managers prioritize reefs that can accelerate recovery and strengthen resilience across entire reef networks.
A practical framework for climate-informed landscape planning
Climate change refugia and landscape connectivity can be systematically incorporated into planning through a practical five-step framework.
Climate and connectivity drive mangrove range expansion
Predictions of mangrove expansion along the coast of Florida and the Southeastern U.S. highlight how connectivity alters ecosystem regimes under climate change.
Practical guidance for climate-smart planning
A recent climate-informed approach to landscape planning outlines a five-step process that integrates climate change exposure and refugia information to strengthen conservation and management decisions.
Testing whether connectivity stabilizes metacommunities
The theory that connectivity can stabilize metacommunities has rarely been tested, but new empirical evidence from a 25-year California grassland study provides a clear and surprising answer.
Hybridization mitigates climate change risks for birds
Research on mountain birds shows that hybridization among species boosts their ability to adapt to rapid climate change, highlighting how natural corridors and gene flow can strengthen resilience in vulnerable high elevation ecosystems.
“Conservation mosaics” as a paradigm for the planet
A new framework reimagines biodiversity protection for a changing climate by integrating protected areas, working lands, and human communities into connected, multifunctional landscapes that sustain both nature and people.