Extensive climate-induced range shifts in butterflies across the globe
Date Issued
2025-09-30
Author(s)
Abstract
Ongoing global change is leading to widespread species redistribution1,2. Range shift attribution, however, remains poorly resolved, partly due to the strong variation in range shift detection signals in space, over time and across the tree of life2. We compiled range shift data in 15 languages and with expert assessments, encompassing 1,758 butterfly species from 109 countries (~10% of the known diversity)—a flagship for invertebrate conservation and a charismatic group used as a sentinel of global climate change3. Approximately 81% of species expanded their ranges horizontally primarily due to climate change and severe weather. This effect was most prominent in tropical regions, which have largely been neglected in previous studies. A significant proportion of species either contracted their ranges (27% of species) or shifted altitudinally (22% of species). Based on these clear and widespread signatures of global range shifts and their underlying drivers, we call for concerted efforts to include butterflies and other invertebrates in nature and species conservation assessments and national conservation policies. These sweeping strategies should also advocate for increased surveillance and long-term population monitoring of key invertebrate groups globally, which will especially inform and strengthen conservation policy in Tropical countries4.
Subjects
Biodiversity Monitoring
global warming
global change
macroclimate
species redistribution
tropical ecosystems
Publisher
EcoEvoRxiv
Type
journal article