Impact of Climate Change on Insect Diversity and Species Distribution in Natural Ecosystems
Abstract
Background: Accelerating climate change poses an unprecedented threat to global biodiversity, with insects serving as critical ecological indicators due to their sensitivity to environmental shifts.
Objective: This study examines the measurable impacts of climate change on insect diversity and geographic species distribution across temperate and tropical natural ecosystems.
Methods: We integrated long-term field survey datasets (1990–2023), remote sensing outputs, and species distribution models (SDMs) from 47 monitored sites to assess changes in species richness, Shannon diversity indices, and habitat suitability scores. Results: Species richness declined by 16.9% and habitat suitability by 21.8% relative to baseline. Mean poleward range shifts of 42.3 km and phenological mismatches averaging 8.7 days were documented. High-altitude and thermophilic species showed accelerated range expansions, while cold-adapted specialists faced disproportionate extinction risk.
Conclusion: Climate change is demonstrably restructuring insect communities at ecologically significant rates, with cascading implications for pollination, nutrient cycling, and food web stability. Urgent policy-integrated conservation strategies are imperative.
How to Cite This Article
Arjun Mehta, Priya Nair, Suresh Rajan (2026). Impact of Climate Change on Insect Diversity and Species Distribution in Natural Ecosystems . International Journal of Insect and Animal Diversity Research (IJIADR), 2(3), 18-21.