Climate change and animals in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Global warming is occurring at an alarming rate and predictions are that air temperature (Ta) will continue to increase during this century.

Increases in Ta as a result of unabated production of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere pose a threat to the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations worldwide.

Although all the animals worldwide will likely be affected by global warming, diurnal animals in the deserts will be particularly threatened in the future because Tas are already high, and animals have limited access to water.

It is expected that Saudi Arabia will experience a 3–5 C in Ta over the next century.

For predicting the consequences of global warming for animals, it is important to understand how individual species will respond to higher air temperatures.

We think that populations will not have sufficient time to make evolutionary adjustments to higher Ta, and therefore they will be forced to alter their distribution patterns, or make phenotypic adjustments in their ability to cope with high Ta.

This report examines how increases in Ta might affect body temperature (Tb) in the animals of arid regions.

We chose three taxonomic groups, mammals, birds, and reptiles (Arabian oryx, Arabian spiny-tailed lizard, vultures, and hoopoe larks) from Saudi Arabia, an area in which Ta often reaches 45 C during midday in summer.

When Ta exceeds Tb, animals must resort to behavioral and physiological methods to control their