Climate Change Impacts on Wildlife Habitats: A Review of the Evidence and Conservation Opportunities

Climate change poses a significant threat to wildlife habitats worldwide, driving alterations in ecosystem structure, species distributions, and biodiversity. This review synthesizes evidence of climate change impacts on terrestrial, aquatic, and marine habitats, exploring mechanisms such as temperature rise, precipitation shifts, and extreme weather events. Key findings reveal habitat loss, phenological mismatches, and species range shifts, with cascading effects on ecosystem services. Conservation opportunities, including habitat restoration, assisted migration, and adaptive management, are discussed as potential strategies to mitigate these impacts. This review underscores the urgency of integrating climate resilience into conservation planning.