<
https://theconversation.com/20-c-seems-the-optimal-temperature-for-life-on-earth-to-thrive-what-does-this-mean-in-a-warming-world-214346>
"Have you ever wondered about the optimal temperature for life on Earth? For
humans, 20°C is comfortable. Any warmer and we work less efficiently because
releasing heat requires energy.
We know many species can live at much colder or warmer temperatures than
humans. But our systematic review of published research found the thermal
ranges of animals, plants and microbes living in air and water overlap at 20°C.
Could this be a coincidence?
For all species, the relationship with temperature is an asymmetric bell-shaped
curve. This means biological processes increase in line with temperature, reach
a maximum, and then rapidly decline when it gets too hot.
Recently, a New Zealand research group noticed the number of marine species did
not peak at the equator, as has been commonly assumed. Rather, the number
dipped, with peaks in the subtropics.
Follow-up studies showed this dip has been getting deeper since the last ice
age about 20,000 years ago. And it has been deepening faster due to global
ocean warming.
When the number of species was plotted against the average annual temperature,
there was a decline above 20°C. A second coincidence?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
