A new study led by researchers from the University of Oxford has warned that nearly 8,000 animal species could face increased extinction risk as extreme heat and land-use change combine. The research highlights how climate pressures and human activity together create growing threats to global biodiversity.

How the research was conducted

The research team analysed data covering thousands of animal species across different regions. They examined how rising temperatures interact with changes such as deforestation, agriculture, and urban expansion.

Instead of studying climate change or land use in isolation, the researchers focused on how the two pressures overlap and reinforce each other. This combined approach allowed them to identify species facing the greatest risk under future climate conditions.

Key findings on extinction risk

The study found that extreme heat alone already threatens many species. However, when combined with land-use change, the risks increase sharply.

Animals that rely on narrow habitat ranges were found to be especially vulnerable. Many species struggle to migrate or adapt when their environments change rapidly. As temperatures rise, altered landscapes can block escape routes and reduce access to food and shelter.

The researchers identified that tropical and subtropical regions face some of the highest risks. These areas often experience both rising temperatures and intense land-use pressure.

Why heat and land use are linked

Heat stress affects animals by disrupting feeding, breeding, and survival patterns. At the same time, land-use change reduces the availability of cooler refuges such as forests and wetlands.

When these factors combine, animals lose both the ability to tolerate heat and the space needed to adapt. According to the study, this interaction creates compound threats that conservation strategies often overlook.

Implications for conservation planning

The findings suggest that conservation efforts need to account for multiple environmental pressures at once. Protecting habitats alone may not be enough if temperatures continue to rise.

Instead, researchers say conservation planning should focus on:

• Preserving connected habitats
• Limiting land-use change in high-risk regions
• Supporting species movement across landscapes

“Addressing climate change without considering land use may leave many species exposed,”
the researchers noted, calling for integrated policy approaches.

Climate change and future biodiversity loss

As climate change intensifies, heat extremes are expected to become more frequent and severe. Without intervention, researchers warn that biodiversity loss could accelerate rapidly.

The study emphasises that early action matters. Reducing emissions, protecting ecosystems, and managing land sustainably could help reduce risks for thousands of species.

About the research

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment. It forms part of ongoing research into how climate change affects ecosystems worldwide.

The authors stressed that while extinction risks are rising, effective policy and conservation action can still make a difference if implemented in time.