Refugia, or natural areas that are relatively buffered from a changing climate, can offer protection for wildlife and the ecosystems on which they depend. Most species do not have the ability to adapt rapidly to climate change-induced environmental disruptions such as drought and heatwaves. A recent focus on the importance of refugia, including factors such as size and connectivity between adjacent refugia has given rise to a new publication by the United States Geological Survey. Using existing examples and a broader understanding of the complexities of these vital landscapes offers “an opportunity for hope, a chance to be proactive in a time of adversity and uncertainty,” according to Toni Lyn Morelli, USGS Research Ecologist.
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