The distributions of many terrestrial organisms are shifting in latitude and/or elevation in response to changing climate. In a meta-analysis of data from studies in both hemispheres, Chen et al. (p. 1024) show that distributions of a wide range of plant and animal species are shifting faster than previously realized. A clear association was identified between magnitude of distribution change and magnitude of warming. These estimates of rate of change may now be used with greater confidence to parameterize models of the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
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