An international study co-authored by the University of Auckland suggests some animals may evolve faster than we previously thought, but some species aren't so lucky.
File photo: Hihi bird. Photo: 123RF
The New Zealand hihi, a bird which the Department of Conservation lists as threatened, has a low capacity to adapt - making it particularly vulnerable to climate change and habitat loss.
Researchers examined the rates of evolution for 15 species, and found many of them had so far maintained their populations despite challenges caused by humans.
Co-author Dr Anna Santure says adaptability is indicated by genetics.
"It tells us that if there's quite a strong genetic contribution to differences in survival and reproduction, it actually means those populations can adjust to changes in their environment," she said.
This evolutionary "fuel" exists in wild animals at as much as four times the rate previously thought, suggesting many species have a better chance of survival than expected.
"This research suggests that many species can adapt quickly," Santure said, "Provided they're not totally outpaced by habitat loss and climate change."
But accelerating climate change meant this adaptability might not last.
"Climate change is really accelerating change to species," she said. "We don't necessarily expect [these animals] to be able to hold their population size in the future, but they do seem to be doing so right now."
Less adaptable species, like the hihi, faced a more immediate threat.
"They don't have a very good capacity to adapt to all of these changes," Santure said, "The good thing is they're holding their population sizes where they are because of some really, really good conservation management."
Without assistance from humans the hihi would struggle to survive.
"We can hold them at much higher population sizes by giving them that little bit of support," she said.
"It's much better for the species as a whole to have more individuals in it."
Dr Santure said humans had an important role to play in keeping species like the hihi alive, and preventing climate change from accelerating.
