Have you ever pondered the ideal temperature for life on Earth?
Humans find 20°C quite comfortable, as any higher temperature can reduce efficiency due to the energy needed to release heat.
While various species can thrive in temperatures both colder and warmer than what humans find comfortable,
our in-depth review of published research has uncovered an intriguing pattern. The thermal ranges of animals, plants, and microbes, whether in air or water, converge at 20°C. Is this merely a coincidence?
For all species,
the correlation with temperature follows an asymmetric bell-shaped curve. This indicates that biological processes increase with temperature, peak at a certain point, and then sharply decline as it becomes too hot.
Discover more about the fascinating interplay between temperature and life on Earth. Our systematic review sheds light on the curious alignment of thermal ranges at 20°C for diverse species, offering insights into the intricate relationship between organisms and their thermal environments.
The Corkrey model reinforces this phenomenon, showcasing its stability in the biological processes of microbes and multi-cellular organisms.
.A critically endangered radiated tortoise named Ninja,
confiscated in 1998, is featured dining at the Los Angeles Zoo, while the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums announce the launch of the Wildlife Confiscations Network in southern California on October 27, 2023.
Research across continents,
from New Zealand to Canada, has revealed that Science Alert reported 20°C as the universal optimal temperature for life on Earth. The exploration of this crucial temperature stemmed from the realization that the thermal ranges of animals, plants, and microbes intersect at this specific point.
Findings driven by a systematic review challenge assumptions about species distribution and emphasize the significance of 20°C in various biodiversity metrics. The research, spanning continents, uncovers a pattern where the highest number of marine species peaks in subtropical regions rather than at the equator. Notably, this pattern has intensified since the last ice age, accelerated by global ocean warming.
Originating in Tasmania,
the Corkrey model adds credibility to the 20°C effect, demonstrating its stability in biological processes for microbes and multi-cellular organisms. Surprisingly, this critical temperature extends its influence beyond marine species, impacting biodiversity globally.
Instances are plentiful where temperatures exceeding 20°C lead to adverse effects on essential measures such as tolerance to low oxygen, algal productivity, predation rates, and genetic diversity. The model predicts that thermal breadth is minimized, and biological processes are most stable at 20°C, elucidating the observed species richness across all life domains.
With regard to climate change,
the 20°C effect implies limitations on tropical species' ability to adapt to higher temperatures. While oceanic species may be able to change their ranges, human-modified landscapes pose obstacles for land species. The 20°C effect is simple enough to explain a wide range of phenomena, from extinction rates to biological productivity.
This groundbreaking discovery underscores the fundamental role of 20°C in shaping ecosystem processes, species distribution, and the evolution of life, providing a new perspective on the intricate interplay between temperature and life on Earth.
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