Species-energy theory indicates that recent climate warming should have driven increases in species richness in cool and species-poor parts of the Northern Hemisphere. We confirm that the average species richness of British butterflies has increased since 1970–82, but much more slowly than predicted from changes of climate: on average, only one-third of the predicted increase has taken place. The resultant species assemblages are increasingly dominated by generalist species that were able to respond quickly. The time lag is confirmed by the successful introduction of many species to climatically suitable areas beyond their ranges. Our results imply that it may be decades or centuries before the species richness and composition of biological communities adjusts to the current climate.
BT - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences DA - 06/2006 DB - rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org DO - 10.1098/rspb.2006.3484 IS - 1593 LA - en N2 -Species-energy theory indicates that recent climate warming should have driven increases in species richness in cool and species-poor parts of the Northern Hemisphere. We confirm that the average species richness of British butterflies has increased since 1970–82, but much more slowly than predicted from changes of climate: on average, only one-third of the predicted increase has taken place. The resultant species assemblages are increasingly dominated by generalist species that were able to respond quickly. The time lag is confirmed by the successful introduction of many species to climatically suitable areas beyond their ranges. Our results imply that it may be decades or centuries before the species richness and composition of biological communities adjusts to the current climate.
PY - 2006 SN - 0962-8452, 1471-2954 SP - 1465 EP - 1470 ST - Proc. R. Soc. B T2 - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences TI - Species richness changes lag behind climate change VL - 273 Y2 - 2013-07-15 14:23:22 ER -