Climate Change Biology: Impacts on Species Distribution and Survival

Climate change represents one of the most profound drivers of biological reorganization in the Anthropocene, reshaping species distributions, disrupting ecological interactions, and accelerating extinction risk across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This paper synthesizes current evidence on the physical, physiological, and ecological mechanisms through which climate change influences species survival and biodiversity patterns globally. Emphasis is placed on the role of extreme temperature events, particularly rising maximum temperatures, as primary determinants of local extinctions rather than gradual shifts in mean climate conditions. The paper further examines latitudinal and altitudinal range shifts, phenological mismatches, trophic asynchrony, and physiological constraints such as reduced thermal safety margins, especially in tropical and intertidal organisms. Case studies from amphibians, coral reefs, polar ecosystems, and forest and marine food webs illustrate the compounded effects of climate stressors interacting with habitat loss, disease, and altered species interactions. While phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolutionary responses can facilitate short-term persistence, their capacity is increasingly outpaced by the velocity of contemporary climate change. The paper highlights adaptive conservation strategies, including climate refugia, habitat connectivity, and assisted migration, as essential tools for mitigating biodiversity loss. Ultimately, effective biodiversity conservation under climate change will require integrated approaches combining rapid greenhouse gas mitigation with proactive, climate-informed ecological management.