Increasing protected area coverage mitigates climate-driven community changes

Climate change has ubiquitous impacts on ecosystems and threatens biodiversity globally. One of the most recognized are redistributions species, a process which can be hindered by habitat degradation. Protected areas (PAs) have been shown to beneficial for preserving reallocating species occurrences under climate change. Yet, studies investigating effects PA networks species' range shifts remain scarce. In theory, well-connected network PAs should promote population persistence To study this, we evaluated coverage avian communities in Finland between two periods 1980–1999 2000–2015. Climate-driven community were investigated using temperature index (CTI). We used linear models association CTI changes southern, central northern Finland. Finland, higher was associated with lower 45% 13% corresponded complete mitigation increase. These results indicate that strongly increases resilience warming climate. However similar not apparent southern The much than other sections thus, may too sparse favour against provide empirical evidence international need rapidly expand halt loss.