Current Affair 1:

News:

Up to 66 per cent of key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in tropical forests have recently entered a new phase characterized by novel mean annual temperature regimes, according to a study published in Conservation Letters.

Examples of KBAs: Western Ghats, Amazon rainforests, Congo Basin, etc.

This change means that many tropical KBAs are now experiencing mean annual temperatures that are unprecedented compared to their historical norms.

What this shift means?

1. Climate Change Impact on KBAs:

As global temperatures rise due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, tropical regions that were once considered thermally stable are now experiencing significant changes. These changes include warmer mean annual temperatures, increased frequency of heatwaves, and shifts in temperature variability.

The tropical regions, which are home to diverse ecosystems, often have species adapted to narrow temperature ranges. Even slight changes in temperature can push these ecosystems into uncharted conditions.

1. Novel Mean Annual Temperature Regimes:

"Novel" in this context refers to temperature conditions that are beyond the historical variations observed in these regions. Essentially, it means that the mean temperatures are now higher than what any species or ecosystems in those areas have previously experienced.

This shift to novel temperature regimes can lead to ecological disruptions. Species may struggle to adapt or migrate to new areas, resulting in changes in community structure, altered food webs, and increased vulnerability of some species to extinction.

1. Implications for Biodiversity:

Species Adaptation and Survival: Some species might adapt by shifting their ranges to higher elevations or latitudes, but this isn’t an option for all, especially those restricted to specific niches.

Ecosystem Functioning: Changes in temperature affect not only individual species but also the interactions between species, such as predator-prey relationships, pollination, and competition. This can have cascading effects on ecosystem services that these forests provide.

Conservation Challenges: Conservation strategies now need to account for the dynamic nature of these changes. Maintaining KBAs may involve managing for climate resilience, such as protecting climate corridors and promoting habitat connectivity to allow species movement.

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