MANY species may be heading rapidly towards extinction as a result of climate change, according to experts in York.

A study conducted by the University of York has found that migration of animals away from the equator to cooler environments has occurred more than three times quicker than previous scientific investigations thought.

The study also found they have moved to more elevated environments twice as quickly as previously expected.

The research team, led by Professor Chris Thomas, found that some species have moved to higher elevations of 12.2 meters per decade and have moved away from the equator by 17.6km per decade.

The evidence was collected from birds, mammals, reptiles and insects among others. The comma butterfly has moved 220km from central England to Edinburgh over 20 years. Climate change is not, however, the only thing affecting the changing of population of species.

Doctor David Roy, from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, who collaborated on the research, said: “The high brown fritillary butterfly might have been expected to move northwards if climate change was the only thing affecting it, but in fact it has been declining because its habitat has been lost.”

The study does not show exactly how climate change will shape populations of species in the future, but Prof Thomas said: “Realisation of how fast species are moving because of climate change indicates that many species may indeed be heading rapidly towards extinction, where climatic conditions are deteriorating. On the other hand, other species are moving to new areas where the climate has become suitable; so there will be some winners as well as many losers.”