Yale Environment 360

Species Slowdown: Is Nature’s Ability to Self-Repair Stalling?

Researchers at Queen Mary University analyzed the BioTIME database and found species turnover has slowed by about a third since the mid‑1970s. The slowdown, measured over five‑year intervals, contradicts earlier expectations that climate change would accelerate community change. Ecologists note that reduced turnover may limit ecosystems’ ability to replace lost species as habitats fragment. The finding reignites debate over whether turnover is a sign of healthy adaptation or a necessary engine for ecosystem resilience.