--- title: "Cactus Species Face Significant Habitat Loss Due to Climate Change" url: https://newscentral.site/cactus-species-face-significant-habitat-loss-due-to-climate-change/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-11-11T16:00:34.000Z updated: 2026-11-11T18:56:14.021Z id: 3ffe7a3f-5b36-4ce7-8e69-d1dc99a4e2b2 source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-11-cacti-severely-threatened-warmer-drier.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/cactus-species-face-significant-habitat-loss-due-to-climate-change/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Cactus Species Face Significant Habitat Loss Due to Climate Change A new study has found that nearly 1,000 cactus species could lose significant amounts of their suitable habitat due to extreme weather events caused by climate change. A new study has highlighted a disturbing trend in the Americas: even the most resilient plant species are facing severe threats due to climate change. The research, which spans multiple countries across North and South America, reveals that forecasts of biodiversity loss are woefully inadequate. The main culprit behind this underestimated threat is extreme weather events, such as droughts, which become more frequent in a warmer world. When researchers factored these events into existing climate distribution models, they found that the majority of nearly 1,000 cactus species studied would lose significant amounts of their suitable habitat. A team of international scientists led by researchers from the University of Arizona and the University of South Florida analyzed data on severe droughts in addition to temperature and precipitation patterns. This comprehensive approach revealed a stark reality: over a quarter of the cacti examined could see at least 80% of their potential habitats disappear by the end of this century. The loss of habitat would be particularly pronounced in regions known for their high cactus diversity, such as Chile, Peru, and northeastern Brazil. The study's authors argue that current methods for predicting how species will respond to climate change are often based on average temperature and precipitation levels. However, these averages do not provide a complete picture of an organism's experience, as it must also contend with extreme weather events such as severe droughts or intense heatwaves. To better understand the impact of climate change on biodiversity, researchers integrated severe drought projections into their models and extrapolated the effects at large scales. The study focused on plant families adapted to drought conditions, but found that even these species may not be able to withstand longer and more intense droughts in a warmer world. This suggests that accounting for extreme weather events is crucial when assessing the future of biodiversity, as it can fundamentally change our understanding of how species will be impacted by climate change. The distribution models used to predict biodiversity impacts often rely on long-term averages of temperature and rainfall, but these models fall short when it comes to extreme events like droughts and hurricanes. Cacti are not just confined to desert environments; they can be found in various ecosystems across the Americas, stretching from California to Florida and from Canada to South America's southern stretches. This widespread distribution makes them vulnerable to habitat destruction and poaching, which has already led to over 30% of cactus species being threatened with extinction. The inclusion of global data on future droughts, combined with records from biodiversity databases, field observations, and the iNaturalist community science network, significantly improves predictions of biodiversity impacts. This integrated approach highlights the importance of accounting for extreme weather events in assessing the future of biodiversity. Researchers have observed that severe drought has a devastating effect on cacti populations, particularly in the Southwest, where large-scale mortality of cholla, prickly pear, and saguaro species is already evident. The impact of drought on cacti populations is a pressing concern in regions where these plants are native. Droughts over recent years have had a detrimental effect on saguaro growth and reproduction, resulting in widespread plant deaths in some areas, according to research findings. This not only affects the cacti themselves but also has far-reaching consequences for animal species that rely on them for habitat and food sources. The loss of these plants can disrupt delicate ecosystems, leading to further environmental degradation. The study's international scope involved collaboration with researchers from various countries in the Americas, including Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Cuba. Data was also contributed by institutions such as the Desert Botanical Garden, Conservation International, and the IUCN Cactus and Succulent Plants Specialist Group. Furthermore, additional information was obtained through the citizen science platform iNaturalist. The research highlights a concerning trend of cactus populations experiencing habitat loss and extinction risks due to climate change and extreme weather events. According to Pablo Guerrero, a professor of botany at the Universidad de Concepción in Chile, "what we are seeing on the ground" is a significant decline in some cactus populations, which could have severe long-term consequences if left unaddressed. The findings of this study are a stark reminder that even seemingly hardy species like cacti are vulnerable to climate change. According to the research, severe drought and warming will significantly increase the extinction risk of cacti by the end of the century. The projections suggest that habitat destruction and illegal collection will exacerbate the problem, leading to a grim outlook for these plants. The study's results will be used to inform updated conservation assessments, which will likely classify many cactus species as endangered or vulnerable. The warning signs are already evident, with some cactus populations showing significant declines in recent years. These changes will have severe long-term consequences if left unchecked, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-cacti-severely-threatened-warmer-drier.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/cactus-species-face-significant-habitat-loss-due-to-climate-change/