In a changing climate, tree trunks serve as crucial refuges for animals, particularly ectotherms, seeking to escape extreme climatic conditions. Therefore, while climate change could generally promote population growth among ectotherms, deforestation could reverse these positive effects in some populations or exacerbate the negative impacts of climate change in others.
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References
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This is a summary of: Zlotnick, O. B. et al. Deforestation poses deleterious effects to tree-climbing species under climate change. Nat. Clim. Change https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-01939-x (2024).
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Deforestation may cause more widespread ectotherm population decline under climate change. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 212–213 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-01940-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-01940-4