Cited by 2,436Species Distribution and Climate ChangeEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesClimate Change and Environmental Impact

Accelerating extinction risk from climate change

Urban, Mark C.·2015·Science

Abstract

Predicting extinction in a changing world: There is great interest in understanding how species might respond to our changing climate, but predictions have varied greatly. Urban looked at over 130 studies to identify the level of risk that climate change poses to species and the specific traits and characteristics that contribute to risk (see the Perspective by Hille Ris Lambers). If climate changes proceed as expected, one in six species could face extinction. Several regions, including South America, Australia, and New Zealand, face the greatest risk. Understanding these patterns will help us to prepare for, and hopefully prevent, climate-related loss of biodiversity. Science , this issue p. 571 ; see also p. 501

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.aaa4984

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171 of 171 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Urban, M. C.
Affiliations
University of Connecticut (US)
Corresponding author
Urban, Mark C.
Venue
Science
Published
2015-05
Volume
348
Issue
6234
Pages
571-573
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W1974424100
Cited by
2,436
References
173
Citations by year
2026: 198 · 2025: 264 · 2024: 255 · 2023: 262 · 2022: 292 · 2021: 288 · 2020: 235 · 2019: 188 · 2018: 171 · 2017: 151 · 2016: 102 · 2015: 28
FWCI
83.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • NSF (DEB-1119877, PLR-1417754)
  • James S. McDonnell Foundation
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecological Modeling › Species Distribution and Climate Change
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Climate Change and Environmental Impact
Keywords
climate change, extinction risk, extinction rates, extinction debt, dispersal capacity, global warming, species extinction, taxonomic bias
MeSH terms
Animals, Australia, Hot Temperature, New Zealand, Risk, South America, Uncertainty, Extinction, Biological, Climate Change

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