Over the last 20 years more than 11,000 bird and butterfly species were analyzed in Europe in what is the largest study of its kind. Scientists are now releasing some of the data gathered during that period of time and one of the conclusions is that these species are not keeping up with the pace of climate change.
As warmer temperatures move north, birds lag behind their normal climate zones by 212 Km on average and butterflies by 135Km. Researchers believe that some birds such as the black and white pied flycatcher are not breeding as effectively as they used to due to rising temperatures. Others, like the golden plover, are in danger of extinction due to the scarcity of their main food source as the crane fly is unable to survive in warmer temperatures.
Scientists believe the species under threat are just a tiny drop in an ocean of problems and that other animal species are facing a similar fate. The reason for the selection of birds (9,400 of them) and butterflies (2,100) for this study is due to the vast amount of information already available, for instance, British butterfly records go back to the 15th century.
The preliminary findings of the research are causing a few headaches with scientists not knowing what the next step should be. The question is: should we let these species become extinct or play god and move them to where they never previously existed? If the latter choice was to be implemented this leads to another predicament: what would that do to those habitats suddenly invaded by alien species?
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