Mammalian Diversity and Life-History Responses to Climate Change

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is reshaping ecological systems globally, with profound consequences for all living organisms, including mammals. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme climatic events—particularly thermal extremes (heat- and cold-waves) and droughts—are disrupting both short-term processes, such as survival, and long-term outcomes like reproductive success. These disruptions cascade into broader ecological consequences by altering inter-species interactions, shifting geographic distributions, and threatening population viability. While many mammalian species face heightened extinction risks, others may benefit from novel opportunities, such as range expansion or access to previously unavailable resources. These contrasting outcomes underscore the complex and dynamic nature of climate-driven changes in biodiversity. This Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of how climate change, especially thermal extremes, influences mammalian diversity through physiological, behavioural, life history, and evolutionary mechanisms. We welcome original research articles and reviews that explore life history traits, adaptive responses, and species vulnerabilities at both individual and population levels in response to thermal extremes and other climate-related stressors. Submissions that employ integrative approaches combining long-term data, experimental studies, and predictive modelling are particularly encouraged. We are particularly interested in studies that identify mechanisms of adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, and resilience, thereby contributing to more accurate biodiversity forecasts and informed conservation strategies under ongoing climate change.

Dr. Paul J. Jacobs
Dr. Daniel William Hart
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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