Research proves that biodiversity loss affects plant adaptability to climate change

Study proves that declining animal species causes double damage to natural ability of plants to adapt to the changing environment

A recently released study by scholars at Rice University in Texas, USA claims that plant species across the world have a reduced chance of adapting to the changing climate. According to the study, there can be a 60 percent decline in how they interact with the constantly modifying environment. An ecosystem is made of interactive life systems among organisms, and the depletion of any one of them affects the entire community. One of the key mutual benefits among plants and animals is seed dispersal. The former provides food and the latter locates the seeds miles away. Most living beings adapt to climate change by migrating to suitable conditions, but plants cannot. This makes them even more susceptible to degradation. 

Living Planet Report 2020 declares a 68 percent population decline of animals, from 1970 to 2016. One of the researchers of this study, Evan Fricke along with his colleagues found out that up to 90 percent of tree species of tropical rainforests rely on animals for dispersal of seed, which means that the most affected regions will be Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America would be most affected.