Climate change may cause extinction of the Iberian Lynx ... - The Mundo.es

The Iberian lynx, which now only survives in the wild in the southwest peninsula, could reach 900 copies to the beginning of the next century if integrate climate change models in its conservation.

This is the main conclusion of a study which publishes the journal ‘Nature Climate Change’, which involved researchers from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), in addition to scientists from the University of Adelaide (Australia).

In Spain it is estimated that between 250 and 300 lynx survive in freedom, distributed in two different populations , which are located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

Develop plans for the reintroduction of this species, and include climate change factors, could increase its population to 900 spread between 25 and 31 distinct populations .

temperature rise that could become hostile areas where currently concentrated efforts to reintroduce the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), according to the researchers.

Change strategy

Due to the effects of climate change, “without reintroductions intensive management could lead to extinction of the Iberian Lynx in about 50 years “, said the CSIC in a press release.

“ reintroduction plans should consider other areas historically associated with this species that future conditions are appropriate,” said the researcher of the National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC and director this research, Miguel Bastos Araújo.

Research has identified 40 areas climatically more likely to harbor the Iberian lynx to the middle of the century .

Besides the climate, abundance of wild rabbit (their only prey), changes in land use or lack of connectivity between habitats occupied by this animal are other variables we have taken into account the research team during the five years of study.

the connectivity between habitats, Damien Fordham, University of Adelaide and author of the paper, stressed: “If you do not perform the relevant management measures, the disconnect between these areas reduce the viability of reintroduced populations “.

According to the article, the recent increase in the number of individuals of Iberian lynx indicates that current conservation measures work, at least in the short term.

However, the small number of their populations involves a high vulnerability to changes in habitat quality and abundance of their prey.

“It is necessary to take into account the projected impacts of climate change when planning for species conservation programs,” has ruled Bastos Araújo.