One in six of the animals and plants on the planet could face extinction if nothing is done to reduce the rate of climate change, a study has found.
The new research suggests that biodiversity loss is accelerating with each Celsius degree rise in temperature.
If global warming continues unabated, raising the Earth's temperature by 4.3C compared with its pre-industrial level, 16% of species could be at risk, it is claimed.
Certain regions of the Earth are likely to be hardest hit, according to the forecast, with 23% of species affected in South America and 14% in Australia and New Zealand.
North America and Europe had the smallest proportion of species facing extinction, 5% and 6% respectively. All taxonomic groups - extended families of animals and plants - were equally at risk.
The research is based on an analysis of 131 different biodiversity studies taking into account a range of factors including modelling technique, taxonomic group, location, global temperature and species distribution.
Results published in the journal Science show that species loss is closely linked to climate change - not only increasing but accelerating as temperatures rise.
If you go back thousands of years ago, I'm sure more than 16% of species then are now extinct. As with especially millions of years. This is how evolution and time work. New species will evolve.
If you go back thousands of years ago, I'm sure more than 16% of species then are now extinct. As with especially millions of years. This is how evolution and time work. New species will evolve.