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How do present climate and geography affect where species live?

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World map using color coding to show the distribution of major floral kingdoms, subkingdoms, and regions. Key floral kingdoms include Boreal (green), Neotropical (pink), Paleotropical (yellow), South African or Capensic (purple), Australian (orange), and Antarctic (blue). Boundaries for subkingdoms, regions, and divisions are marked with different colored lines, and major regions such as Indoafrican, North American, and Malesian are labeled across continents. — biogeographic region Floral kingdoms, subkingdoms, and major regions of the world.

Present climate and geography are fundamental factors that dictate the distribution of species across the Earth, though they do not act in isolation.1

The Role of Climate and Geography

Environmental conditions, primarily shaped by climate and geologic features, determine the suitability of a habitat for specific organisms. These conditions organize the biosphere into biomes—ecological communities that support species with similar life strategies and adaptations. While similar climates can harbor ecologically equivalent species, the actual range of a species is often narrower than its potential range due to historical factors, such as continental drift, and physical barriers like mountains or oceans that impede dispersal.234

Impacts of Environmental Change

Species are adapted to long-term climate patterns, and their survival depends on the stability of these environments. Rapid changes, such as those driven by global warming, can disrupt these relationships, forcing species to migrate or face extinction. Furthermore, human-made structures often act as barriers, preventing species from relocating to more favorable climates.35

Ultimately, while current climate and geography define the boundaries of where species live, their distribution is also a product of evolutionary history, dispersal rates, and the ongoing influence of human activity.41