# Climate Change Shifts Butterfly Ranges Globally 80% of butterfly species expand their habitats due to climate change. - **Source:** [Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories](https://brifing.si/source/8b0f98da-d179-4c93-871f-7ac460bf9c61) - **Published:** 2026-08-08 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/164c8360-0b27-43d3-bf3e-d35a254c2985 ## Significant Shifts in Butterfly Ranges A global analysis of 1,758 butterfly species revealed that 80% have expanded their habitats. 79% of these shifts are linked to climate change and extreme weather events. The study highlights significant changes in butterfly distributions. ## Impacts of Climate Change Climate change is causing both expansions and contractions in butterfly habitats. 27% of species have lost habitats, while 22% have shown changes in elevation. This underscores the complex effects of climate change on ecosystems. ## Multiple Range Shifts Many butterfly species exhibit multiple types of range shifts. The percentages for expansions, contractions, and elevation changes exceed 100%. This indicates varied responses to climate change among species. ## Scope of the Research The study encompassed 1,758 species, representing 10% of known butterfly species. This broad scope provides a significant dataset for understanding the impacts of climate change on butterfly populations. ## Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution The research was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. It is considered an important resource for studying the effects of climate change on biodiversity. ## Role of Butterflies in Ecosystems Butterflies play a crucial role in ecosystems as pollinators, aiding plant reproduction. Changes in their distributions can affect ecosystem balance. ## Future Research Directions This study lays the groundwork for future research. Investigating the effects of climate change on other species is critical for biodiversity conservation. ## Conclusion and Importance Shifts in butterfly ranges demonstrate the effects of climate change on biodiversity. These findings emphasize the importance of measures to combat climate change. ## Sources covering this story - https://phys.org/news/2026-08-butterfly-ranges-shift-worldwide-climate.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._