Anthropocene Magazine · Climate & nature

Tree Holes Act as Climate Refuges for Wildlife

New research indicates that natural cavities and holes in trees provide crucial thermal refuge for various animal species, offering protection from extreme temperatures, especially during heatwaves.

Tree holes and crevices act as natural shelters, offering temperatures significantly cooler than the ambient air during heatwaves. A review of 36 studies across five continents found these natural refuges were consistently cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

On hotter days, when temperatures exceeded 30°C, tree cavities were found to be approximately 4.1°C cooler than the outside environment. This buffering capacity is vital as heatwaves have been linked to mass die-offs in species like flying foxes.

The research also showed that these arboreal shelters provide protection from cold. Resting places within trees were found to be around 2.8°C warmer than the lowest outside temperatures, with the difference increasing to 3.1°C on days below 10°C.

The study's findings were not limited to bats, with data including observations of birds, insects, and other mammals such as squirrels utilizing these natural shelters.

These results highlight the importance of preserving trees, particularly older ones with more natural cavities, for wildlife conservation.

Forest managers are advised to prioritize the protection and regeneration of natural habitats, especially in regions prone to heatwaves that can cause significant animal mortality.

The study also suggests that artificial alternatives, such as bat boxes, often fail to provide adequate thermal protection and may even exceed outside temperatures, indicating a need to redesign them to better mimic natural tree cavities.

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