Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Clear effects, complex implications: meta-study reveals mechanisms of animals’ adaptations to cope with climate change

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)

Climate change has a wide range of effects on wildlife. It affects seasonal migration, reproduction times, body size and mass, and disrupts ecological processes, thereby posing challenges for the populations of some species. An international team of scientists has now analysed more than 200 scientific studies on 73 animal species in a meta-study to determine exactly how climate change is related to phenology, morphology and population trends. The team explains in the journal Nature Communications that phenological traits – seasonal developmental phenomena – are very sensitive to temperature changes and that this represents a mechanism for many species to cope with climate change.

Different kinds of adaptations can help animals cope with climate change and maintain stable populations: these can confer changes in behaviour, physiology or body size. An international team of scientists from more than 60 research institutions led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), James Cook University and University College Cork analysed 213 scientific studies for links between climate change and phenology (e.g. start of breeding or return to summer quarters), morphology (e.g. body size, weight or shape) and population development of a total of 73 vertebrate species. The team looked not only for evidence of the influence of climate change on specific fitness parameters of animals – such as survival rate or reproductive success – but also on the changes in population numbers of those species. Most studies examined birds (65 percent), followed by reptiles (23 percent) and mammals (10 percent). An important criterion for the selection of studies was the availability of long-term data sets on phenological or morphological variables and population size, to be able to confidently reveal the patterns. Typically, the studies used data from 15 to 25 year periods.

Climate change influences seasonal developmental processes, which then affect population numbers

From the relevant phenology studies (97 studies), the scientists were able to deduce clear evidence that seasonally recurring developmental processes are significantly influenced by changes in temperature. In warmer years, they observed a shift in breeding times and other phenological characteristics mostly towards earlier dates, but in some cases they also observed a delay in the processes. “We were able to show that shifts in seasonal developmental events allow populations to remain stable or even increase in their numbers”, says Dr Viktoriia Radchuk from the Leibniz-IZW, lead author of the meta-study published in Nature Communications. “The majority of studies also showed that temperature-induced shifts in phenology are adaptive responses. This means that the adaptations are effective coping mechanisms for dealing with climate change, for example, by shifting the actual timing of egg laying in a bird species to coincide with the shift in the optimal timing for egg laying.”

However, the meta-study also pointed towards maladaptation to climate change in a notable amount of cases. “The effect of warming on phenology is very clear, but the implications for wildlife are heterogeneous”, says Dr Tom Reed from University College Cork, a shared senior author of the study. “We are probably dealing primarily with so-called trait plasticity and, in the periods studied, not yet with evolutionary processes. Phenological traits can obviously be adapted flexibly enough by animals.” On average, species living at higher geographical latitudes – i.e. closer to the poles – were shown to be more sensitive to temperature. However, apart from geographical latitude, no other species characteristics could explain variation in climate sensitivity of phenotypic traits and population growth rates. It is likely that this variation can be better explained by local habitat conditions than by species-level characteristics such as generation time and migration mode.

Climate change has inconsistent effects on the body measurements of animals

The meta-study could not deduce any clear effects of climate change on the morphology of the studied animals. The scientists assume that changes in physical build or size occur much more slowly than phenological changes. “Despite the large size of our data set and often very long duration of the studies included, our meta-study is merely a spotlight on the highly complex world of the effects of climate change on biodiversity”, concludes Dr Martijn van de Pol from James Cook University, a shared senior author of this study. “The study of physiological responses to climate change would be most informative, but such field studies are still very rare. Species from the Global South, non-bird species, and phenological processes not associated with spring are also rare in what is currently the largest meta-dataset of its kind.” Nonetheless, this dataset provides much-needed information that will allow parameterising mechanistic population dynamics models for over 70 species and predict effects of climate change into the future – a task that is now as important as ever.

This research was initiated at sDiv workshops, supported by Synthesis Centre at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig.

Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-025-68172-8

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Changes in phenology mediate vertebrate population responses to temperature globally

Researchers publish first ever structural engineering manual for bamboo

Bamboo drives the international low-carbon construction sector

University of Warwick

image:
Bamboo Toll booth in Columbia. Credit: Dr David Trujillo/University of Warwick
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Credit: Dr David Trujillo/University of Warwick

Comprehensive guidance about the design of permanent bamboo structures has been published by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

The detailed design manual draws on the expertise of four international authors from academia and industry. They are all members of the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force (BCTF), one of the leading international bodies on the structural uses of bamboo:

Dr David Trujillo CEng, Assistant Professor in Humanitarian Engineering, School of Engineering at the University of Warwick;
Kent Harries PEng, Professor of Structural Engineering and Mechanics, University of Pittsburgh;
Sebastian Kaminski CEng, an IStructE Fellow and a structural engineer from consulting firm Arup;
and Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez CEng, General Manager of the Base Bahay Foundation Inc. (BASE), which is a guide sponsor with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).

Manual for the design of bamboo structures to ISO 22156:2021 aims to help structural engineers and other architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals understand how this prolific bio-based material can be used safely, with the ISO standard and the manual limited to two-storeys because of fire concerns.

Lead author Dr David Trujillio, University of Warwick says: “This manual marks a significant milestone for the safe use of bamboo for permanent structures. Most structural design codes are developed in higher-income countries to address their own needs. Only later are they adopted or adapted by lower and middle-income countries – but the starting point is never the needs of those regions.

Professor Kent Harries, University of Pittsburgh adds: “There are some 1,600 known species of bamboo. Structurally, it has remarkable mechanical properties. It has also become a very promising bio-based resource, with growing credentials as a sustainable construction material. Nonetheless, this is hugely dependent on designing and building safe and durable structures. Our detailed manual helps to achieve this.”

Sebastian Kaminski, Arup explains: “Bamboo has great potential to contribute to a low-carbon construction sector. Bamboo engineering is a very young field compared to mainstream materials and its unique possibilities are increasingly recognised and supported by growing research and innovation. Our manual is structured to support the design engineer along the journey, from sourcing bamboo to detailed design.”

Luis Felipe Lopez, Base Bahay highlights: “The construction industry contributes nearly 40% of carbon emissions globally, and bamboo, a regenerative and durable material, is redefining how we build our structures. From being an alternative to a reliable building material, bamboo is now gaining global recognition, and the need for a comprehensive framework is essential to support design engineers and ensure the safe and proper use of bamboo in the built environment, maximising its full potential and environmental advantages.

Kewei Liu, Coordinator of the INBAR Global Bamboo Construction Programme, mentions: “The publication of this guide is of great significance in promoting the application of the current ISO 22156:2021 standard, which has been the most widely accepted international bamboo standard since the 2000s. The authors have made a remarkable contribution to the global use of bamboo construction.”

Bamboo is native to all continents apart from Antarctica and Europe, although numerous species successfully thrive across Europe. Its lifecycle makes it an attractive resource in the context of tackling the global climate emergency, as like trees it fixes carbon in its leaves, stem, roots and surrounding soil. Bamboo’s harvest does not disturb the stored carbon in the soil.

Alongside the four leading authors, the manual was also reviewed by eleven expert reviewers. It has ten chapters covering a wide range of topics including the bamboo supply chain; bamboo project management; grading and mechanical characteristics of bamboo; analysis of bamboo structures; seismic and wind hazard design using bamboo; element and connection design; durability; bamboo structural shear walls; and worked examples of bamboo’s structural use in real-life examples.

Dr David Trujillo, University of Warwick concludes: “The guide is published in the wake of the tragic Hong Kong tower block fires. We share condolences for all those impacted, and await the outcome of investigations as we cannot comment until all the facts are in. However general risk management principles advocate a risk assessment and consideration of use of flame-retardant materials on high rise and closely spaced buildings, along with fire detection and suppression.
“Importantly, and given the wide use of bamboo, this guide sets out provisions for its safe use, including for fire, covering permanent buildings and not scaffolding. Our aim is for this to be a must-use resource for the structural engineer already working with bamboo or considering its use. We also hope it will be a trusted resource for colleagues across the built environment globally, whether in industry or academia.”

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Matt Higgs, Media & Communications Officer, University of Warwick at matt.higgs@warwick.ac.uk or +44 (0)7880 175 403

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Newsroom on +44 (0)7930 53 45 43.

Paul Kovach, Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, paulkovach@pitt.edu

Kewei Liu, Coordinator of the INBAR Global Bamboo Construction Programme, kwliu@inbar.int

Notes to Editors

About the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE): https://www.istructe.org/

The Institution of Structural Engineers dates from 1908 and is now the world’s largest membership organisation dedicated to the art and science of structural engineering.

It has 30,000 members working in 139 countries around the world. Professional membership is one of the leading global benchmarks of competence and technical excellence. Members undergo rigorous technical assessment and commit to continual learning and development.

The Institution drives higher standards and shares knowledge because its members’ work is vital to public safety and meeting the challenges of the future. The Institution provides a voice for its members, promoting their contribution to society as innovative, creative problem solvers and the guardians of public safety.

About the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick: The University of Warwick is a globally recognised institution known for its excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. Established in 1965, Warwick has developed into one of the UK’s leading universities, fostering collaboration across disciplines and maintaining strong connections with industry, government, and the wider community.

The School of Engineering is one of the University’s founding departments and remains at the forefront of research and education in engineering and technology. The School integrates mechanical, electrical, electronic, and systems engineering to provide a broad yet cohesive approach to solving complex real-world problems. Its research is organised into six interdisciplinary clusters: Biomedical & Biotechnology, Electrical Power & Control, Predictive Modelling, Fluids & Thermal, Built Environment & Sustainability, and Measurement, Devices & Materials. These clusters bring together academics, researchers, and industry partners to advance knowledge and develop innovative solutions with global impact.

About The University of Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh is a public research university founded in 1787 composed today of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and four regional campuses in addition to the 132-acre Pittsburgh main campus. The Swanson School of Engineering, whose first degrees were awarded 1846, is the sixth oldest engineering school in the United States.

About Arup: Arup is a global built environment consultancy providing advisory and technical expertise for our clients across more than 130 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places. www.arup.com

About Base Bahay Foundation Inc. (BASE): BASE is a non-profit organization in the Philippines, initiated by the Hilti Foundation, that provides innovative and sustainable building solutions for communities in need. Since 2014, BASE has been at the forefront of alternative building technologies globally, collaborating closely with organizations to create safe, affordable, disaster-resilient, and environmentally friendly structures that have a positive social and environmental impact.

About INBAR: Established in 1997, the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes environmentally sustainable development using bamboo and rattan. INBAR’s mission is to improve the well-being of producers and users of bamboo and rattan within the context of a sustainable bamboo and rattan resource base, by consolidating, coordinating and supporting strategic and adaptive research and development.

It is currently made up of 52 Member States across the developing areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. In addition to its Secretariat Headquarters in China, INBAR has five Regional Offices in Cameroon, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana and India. INBAR was recognized as an Observer to the UN General Assembly in 2017, which makes it possible for INBAR to speak for bamboo and rattan at the UN platforms.

About the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force: Established in 2014, the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force (BCTF) coordinates the activities of international research institutes and commercial companies interested in the structural uses of bamboo. The Task Force consists of a core group of 36 experts from 18 countries, aiming to serve as the world’s main science-based information and knowledge repository on structural uses of bamboo and its environmental, economic and social benefits.

Bamboo Clubhouse roof in Colombia. Credit. Dr David Trujillo/University of Warwick

Composite Bamboo Shear Wall (CBSW) House in Colombia. Credit: Dr. David Trujillo/University of Warwick

Beyond chemistry: How mechanical forces shape brain wiring

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

In frog brains, developing axons from the eye follow a specific path to reach their final destination. — image:
In frog brains (orange-blue), developing axons from the eye (yellow-white) follow a specific path to reach their final destination. Along the way, they make a characteristic turn. This turning is mediated by both chemical and mechanical signals. The exact nature of this chemo-mechanical coupling is what the researchers in this study aimed to understand.
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Credit: © Dr. Sudipta Mukherjee

During brain development, neurons extend long processes called axons. Axons link different areas of the brain and carry signals within it and to the rest of the body. Growing axons “wire up” the brain by following precise paths through the tissue. Their navigation depends on chemical signals and the physical properties of their surroundings. How these signals work together has remained largely unknown. An international team of scientists has now shown that tissue stiffness controls the production of key signalling molecules in the brain. This discovery, recently published in Nature Materials, reveals a fundamental link between mechanical forces and chemical signalling. It could help scientists understand how other organs and body systems develop and may inform new medical approaches.

Scientists have long known that chemical signals, such as gradients of signalling molecules, guide tissue growth and development. More recent work has shown that physical cues, such as tissue stiffness, directly influence how cells and tissues behave as well. What is less understood is how these mechanical and chemical cues work together to steer development.

Researchers of the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM), the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), and the University of Cambridge have uncovered fundamental mechanisms at play in the developing brain. By using Xenopus laevis (African clawed frogs), a well-established model system, the team found that tissue stiffness regulates the expression of key chemical cues, and that this process is controlled by the mechanosensititve protein Piezo1. The team of researchers led by Prof. Kristian Franze found that increasing tissue stiffness induces the expression of chemical signals that are typically absent in those regions. Semaphorin 3A is one such chemical signal. Crucially, this response only occured when levels of Piezo1 were sufficiently high. “We didn’t expect Piezo1 to act as both a force sensor and a sculptor of the chemical landscape in the brain,” said study co-lead Eva Pillai, a postdoctoral researcher at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). “It not only detects mechanical forces – it helps shape the chemical signals that guide how neurons grow. This kind of connection between the brain’s physical and chemical worlds gives us a whole new way of thinking about how it develops.”

The loss of Piezo1 not only affects chemical signalling but also the mechanical integrity of the tissue itself. When Piezo1 levels are attenuated, the abundance of key cell-adhesion proteins such as NCAM1 and N-cadherin decreases. These molecules are essential for maintaining cell-cell contacts – which glue cells together. “What’s exciting is that Piezo1 doesn’t just help neurons sense their environment – it helps build it,” said Sudipta Mukherjee, study co-lead and postdoctoral researcher at FAU and MPZPM. He and Pillai were both doctoral students at the University of Cambridge, where the project was initiated. “By regulating the levels of these adhesion proteins, Piezo1 keeps cells well connected, which is essential for a stable tissue architecture. The stability of the enviroment in turn, influences the chemical environment.”

Protein with a dual mission: sensor and modulator
The study suggests Piezo1 is a dual-function protein: both a sensor that translates mechanical signals from the environment into cellular responses, and a modulator that helps structure the mechanical environment itself.

These findings have broad implications for both developmental biology and disease research. Misguided neuronal growth is linked to congenital and neurodevelopmental disorders, while tissue stiffness also plays a role in the progression of diseases such as cancer. By showing that mechanical cues shape chemical signalling, the study opens exciting new avenues for understanding development and tackling disease.

“Our work shows that the brain’s mechanical environment is not just a backdrop – it is an active director of development,” said senior author Kristian Franze. “It regulates cell function not only directly, but also indirectly by modulating the chemical landscape. This study may lead to a paradigm shift in how we think about chemical signals, with implications for many processes from early embryonic development to regeneration and disease.” The findings reveal that tissue stiffness influences chemical signalling over long distances, altering the behaviour of cells far from the site of the original mechanical stimulus. This study highlights mechanical forces as a powerful regulator of development and organ function.

Tissues grown in gels

Dissected frog brain tissues were cultured in gels of different stiffness (soft: red, stiff: yellow), the expression of key chemical signals increased in gels of higher stiffness. When soft parts of the developing frog brain were compressed and thereby stiffened, for a long time (6 hours), the expression of chemical signals were similarly increased.

Credit