The future existence of the purple-crowned fairy-wren depends on strong climate action

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A new report from Deakin University researchers in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature—Australia (WWF—Australia) outlines the concerning reality facing Australia's wildlife as global temperatures continue to rise.

The report uses analysis by Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Carla Archibald with support from Professor Brett Bryan, both from Deakin's School of Life and Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Kita Ashman from WWF—Australia and a Deakin alumni.

In a warming climate, flora and fauna come under stress, particularly those that are already threatened like the striking purple-crowned fairy-wren.

Beautiful but vulnerable

Weighing in at between 9 and 13 grams, the tiny purple-crowned fairy-wren is lighter than a 50-cent piece. It can be identified by the distinctive purple circle of crown feathers sported by breeding males.

Modeling shows that if the global temperature increases by 2°C, 62% of the river-fringing vegetation in parts of northern Australia that the birds call home will be lost to climate change, threatening their entire existence.

An increase of that magnitude could also mean Queensland's rainforest ringtail possums such as the green ringtail and lemuroid ringtail, found in cool, moist, high-altitude "cloud forests," would face extinction.

Challenging climate commitments

While current commitments under the UN Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming to a 2°C increase, this new analysis shows that Australia must commit to a more ambitious climate targeting of a 1.5°C increase limit to avoid a "catastrophic tipping point" for some of our iconic Australian species.

"Modeling shows that fractions of a degree in warming can make an enormous difference to many species. For the species we looked at, stabilizing warming to 1.5°C, rather than letting it hit 2°C, would retain more suitable habitat," says Dr. Archibald.

"More habitat means a better chance to persist, especially as species will also face additional threats such as land use change, invasive species and other challenges."

A way forward

There's an opportunity for Australia to commit to a more ambitious 1.5°C target in the upcoming 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, due in February 2025.

Existing climate science shows that in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Australia would also need to cease approvals of any new fossil fuels and wind down existing infrastructure earlier than planned to continue a positive trajectory.

While an increase in global average warming at this rate would still have wide-reaching detrimental effects, there would be hope of returning the climate to a stable state by 2100.

It would also mean a brighter outlook for the purple-crowned fairy-wrens and the many other furry and feathered friends that call Australia home.

Provided by Deakin University