You can read about the research in “The Conversation” published by Prof. Mark John Costello from the University of Tasmania. It allows us to determine the ideal temperature for life on Earth, and not just in the case of humans. It turns out that this threshold means the best performance of organisms and their biology. This is the threshold of 20 degrees Celsius.
Recently, a research group from New Zealand observed that the number of marine species does not reach its maximum at the equator. It may seem logical that life would flourish more in the equatorial region and that conditions there would be ideal. However, this is not the case at all. The peak abundance of life occurred in the subtropical region of our planet, and declined significantly in the equatorial and tropical regions.
Made me think. Additional research has shown that this decline has deepened since the end of the last ice age approximately several thousand years ago. They are deepening faster due to global warming of the oceans. When the number of species over the years was compared with the average annual increase in temperature, it was found that life at temperatures above 20 degrees limits their diversity. It can't be a coincidence anymore.
Scientists assume that this range is between minus forty and plus fifty degrees, although we can find organisms that can tolerate greater extremes. However, in all these organisms, a certain temperature begins to interfere. It is exactly 20 degrees Celsius, both in water and on land.
This means that biological processes increase as temperature rises, peaking at 20 degrees, and then rapidly declining when it becomes very hot. Likewise, in the other direction, it disappears when the value on the thermometer drops below 20 degrees. So this seems to be the ideal temperature for life. It is ideal for the functioning of biological processes, as it is the most stable.
Although many species have evolved to live at other temperatures, most species survive at 20 degrees. This is when life reaches its maximum diversity, which coincides with subtropical climatic conditions. There were also fewer extinctions in the fossil record at 20°. As it increases or decreases, extinctions become more severe. This relationship was called the Corkery model.
Understanding them may allow us to combat global warming and species extinction. As long as these organisms are able to shift their ranges to adapt to rising temperatures as part of global warming, we will be able to maintain the diversity and richness of life around the 20 degree limit. If this limit is exceeded, wealth will begin to disappear. This makes you understand How temperature controls ecosystem processes, species abundance and distribution, and the evolution of life.
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
