Animals behave strangely during global warming
Contrary to expectations, some animal species, including the rare Bicknell's thrush, are not moving to cooler areas due to global warming but are expanding their range toward warmer regions. Scientists report that up to half of the studied animals in some areas are moving not to cooler but to warmer places, complicating conservation efforts and forcing a reassessment of areas chosen for nature protection.
The article reports on unexpected behavior of wild animals in the context of global warming. Contrary to expectations that species would migrate to cooler areas, scientists are observing the opposite process: some animals are expanding their range toward warmer regions. An example is the rare North American Bicknell's thrush, whose habitats are shrinking. Researchers feared that American red squirrels living lower in the mountains would move higher due to warming and begin raiding thrush nests. However, ecologist Toni Lyn Morelli from the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that squirrels are actually moving down the mountain slopes. This is good news for the thrush, as the expected increase in competition did not occur. A similar trend has been noted in other species: in some areas, up to half of the studied animals are moving to warmer places. This complicates conservation work, as previously cooler areas were considered climate refuges. Unpredictable changes in ranges are forcing scientists to reconsider the selection of areas for nature protection. The article references the New Scientist portal. The author is Alex Lipnitsky.