Several characteristics increase vulnerability: low or narrow thermal tolerance, high habitat specificity, low dispersal ability, long generation times, low competitive ability and life-cycle constraints that limit recovery or recolonisation. Populations living close to one or more limiting factors near range edges are also vulnerable . Understanding these characteristics can inform management intervention to aid recovery following an extreme event. For instance, knowledge of the flying fox's physiological temperature threshold led to successful interventions, including misting populations to reduce mortality , and the development of a 'heat stress forecaster', an online tool which uses weather forecasts to identify roosts at risk of extreme heat events . This early warning system increases the preparedness of wildlife management and conservation agencies, enabling efficient allocation of management resources towards the locations that are likely to be the most affected.
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report