Climate change, caused primarily by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, has significantly altered the natural environment in which animals have evolved to live. As a result, many species are experiencing population declines and near extinction events due to the unprecedented speed and scale of these changes.
Recent studies, however, have revealed that some species are capable of adapting to these changing environmental conditions. These adaptations can take various forms, including alterations in behavior, physiology, or genetic makeup. For example, some animals may shift their migration patterns or change their diet to cope with changes in temperature or precipitation.
Despite these adaptive responses, the impact of global climate change on animal populations remains highly complex and not well understood. This is due, in part, to the fact that climate change simultaneously influences many aspects of an animal's life, including its habitat, food sources, and interactions with other species.
Furthermore, the ability of animals to adapt to changing conditions may be limited by factors such as genetic diversity, habitat fragmentation, and exposure to multiple stressors. Therefore, it is crucial to continue studying the effects of climate change on animal populations and to implement conservation measures to mitigate its impact on biodiversity
This collection aims to collate original research and narrative review articles addressing all aspects of animal adaptation to global climate change in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We hope to better outline the impact of global climate change on animals’ life histories, to help achieving targets 14 and 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): ‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development’ and ‘Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss’.
Potential topics can include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Animal behavior: shifting migration patterns; changing feeding habits; altering breeding cycles
• Animal physiology: evolving larger or smaller body sizes; changes in metabolism; changes in reproductive patterns
• Animal geography: moving to cooler or wetter areas; moving to higher elevations; competing against invasive species
• Animal development: changing developmental rates; changes in sex determination; increase in sea water acidity; habitat suitability (moving to new areas which may be unfavorable for embryos)
• Animal evolutionary genetics: development of new traits; selection for existing traits that confer advantages in new environmental conditions
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