Monash-Led Team Develops Climate Adaptive Conservation Model

Researchers from Monash University have developed a novel model to assist conservationists in predicting how species will respond to climate change and interact with new ecosystems, addressing a critical data gap by using information from similar species. This model can help forecast species' ability to establish in new habitats and the potential spread and impact of invasive species, enabling proactive conservation strategies amid shifting wildlife distributions. Meanwhile, a separate study highlights that most Australian biodiversity conservation policies, including biodiversity offsets and voluntary programs, largely neglect climate risks such as fire, heat, drought, and floods, which threatens the effectiveness of these efforts. The study recommends practical steps like identifying climate refuges and improving habitat connectivity to enhance resilience. These advances and critiques underline the urgent need for climate-adaptive conservation policies to safeguard biodiversity in a warming world. Together, these insights emphasize the importance of integrating predictive tools and climate risk considerations to ensure effective, long-term wildlife and ecosystem protection.