Can a long-lived seabird evolve fast enough to avoid extinction under a changing climate?

AI Insight

The article examines whether long-lived seabirds can evolve rapidly enough to adapt to climate change and avoid extinction. These species typically have slow generation times and low reproductive rates, which traditionally limit their evolutionary response speed. The central question addresses the tension between the pace of environmental change and the biological capacity for adaptive evolution in species with extended lifespans.

Why it matters

Understanding evolutionary rates in long-lived species is crucial for conservation planning and predicting which species are most vulnerable to climate change. This research can inform targeted conservation strategies for seabirds and other long-lived species that may lack the adaptive capacity to survive rapid environmental shifts.