A new study shows that both climate and land use change are major drivers of biodiversity loss among terrestrial vertebrates—including amphibians, birds, and mammals—particularly in low- and mid-latitude regions. Under high-emissions scenarios, mammals could lose habitat across over 50% of global land area, while amphibians are especially vulnerable to land use pressures. 

The research combines species distribution models for 13,903 species with future land use projections, providing one of the first global assessments of the combined effects of climate and land use change. While sustainable development pathways can mitigate some losses,  inequality-driven scenarios substantially accelerate biodiversity decline, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

This international collaboration was led by Chantal Hari and Prof. Édouard Davin, in collaboration with experts in biodiversity conservation and other disciplines, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding interactions among climate, land, and biodiversity.