Deer Struggling to Survive Heat Stress as Climate Change Pushes Migration Northward, Study Warns

Tejal Somvanshi

A recent European study, led by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences with participation from France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), conducted an extensive 20-year review on how climate change affects deer populations across Europe, Asia, and North America.

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The study reveals that rising temperatures and milder winters can have both positive and negative impacts on deer populations, with some benefiting from easier access to food and others facing new challenges.

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Climate change causes far-reaching disruptions in nature, with tolerance thresholds already exceeded for certain plants and animals, leading to significant ecological consequences.

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In the short term, deer may respond to climate change through individual physiological and behavioral adjustments, which could aggregate at the population level and eventually lead to evolutionary adaptations over time.

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The study also highlights the risks posed by hotter, drier summers, which can push deer populations to their physiological limits due to heat stress and increased parasite loads.

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While some deer species can adapt by seeking cooler habitats and reducing activity during the hottest hours, these strategies may negatively affect population dynamics in the long term.

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The evolutionary implications of climate change for deer are significant, as populations with higher genetic diversity are more likely to develop advantageous traits that enhance survival in changing environments.

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Although the study provides a comprehensive synthesis of how deer respond to current and future climate conditions, researchers identified several areas requiring further investigation, including the effects of extreme weather events and habitat changes.

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