不同时空铅锌矿渣中耐受重金属细菌群体的变化

利用含不同浓度铅锌的选择平板 ,对堆积时间分别约为 1 0、2 0和 80a的铅锌矿渣堆表层和下层的耐受细菌群体进行了调查。与对照土样相比 ,矿渣堆中细菌总量减少。堆积时间短的矿渣堆 ,细菌数量少 ,上下层数量差异不大 ;堆积时间长的 ,细菌数量较高 ,上层数量比下层大。矿渣堆中有大量耐受铅锌的细菌群体 ,耐受水平越高的群体数量越少。在空间分布上 ,耐受群体主要集中在下层。随堆积时间延长 ,耐受群体比例减少。铅锌对细菌的胁迫效应不同 ,尽管矿渣堆主要表现为铅污染 ,但其中仍有大量耐受Zn2 + 的群体 ,耐受水平达 1 0mmol·L-1 ,没有发现能够耐受如此高浓度Pb2 + 的群体。此外 ,发现有部分细菌的生长依赖于 0 .5mmol·L-1 的Pb2 + 和Zn2 + 。     

十溴联苯醚(BDE209)对蜡状芽胞杆菌吸附/释放金属离子的影响

针对重金属及多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)复合污染问题,以蜡状芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)复合菌为吸附材料,研究了十溴联苯醚(BDE209)对蜡状芽孢杆菌复合菌吸附及释放金属离子的影响.结果表明,蜡状芽孢杆菌复合菌对低浓度的Pb(II)(0.712mg·L-1)、Zn(II)(4.844mg·L-1)具有快速、高效、稳定的吸附能力,最高吸附率分别达到98.31%和97.83%;对低浓度的Cu(II)(1.915mg·L-1)也能起到一定的去除作用,吸附率最高可达59.90%.复合菌吸附重金属离子的同时,释放了其他金属离子:Ca(II)、K(I)、Na(I),且释放总量大于吸附总量.不同浓度的BDE209对复合菌吸附重金属产生不同的影响.1mg·L-1的BDE209基本表现为促进复合菌对重金属的吸附;而10mg·L-1的BDE209在0～4h之间促进复合菌对Pb(II)、Zn(II)的吸附,在反应4h后明显抑制吸附作用,而对Cu(II)则始终表现为促进作用.BDE209对金属离子释放的影响主要体现在反应的初始阶段(0～4h),表现为高浓度的BDE209减缓K(I)、Na(I)的释放.     

蜈蚣草对Pb、Zn复合污染的响应

为探明蜈蚣草修复重金属复合污染土壤的能力,本实验利用水培实验研究Pb、Zn交互作用下蜈蚣草对Pb、Zn积累变化以及蜈蚣草对Pb、Zn的解毒机理.实验结果显示,在Pb、Zn复合污染情况下,重金属Zn在0—10 mg.L-1下可促进蜈蚣草根、茎对Pb的富集能力,降低蜈蚣草对Pb的转运能力;而Pb则促进蜈蚣草对Zn的转运系数,提高蜈蚣草茎、叶对Zn的富集能力,并呈现出蜈蚣草对Pb的富集能力大于对Zn的富集能力.实验结果进一步显示,随着重金属复合暴露浓度增加,蜈蚣草叶绿素含量先上升后下降,丙二醛含量先下降后上升,淀粉、蔗糖、O2-含量则逐渐上升.这说明淀粉、蔗糖、O2-.等具有一定的解毒作用,能增强植物对重金属的抗性.实验结果还显示,蜈蚣草对Pb、Zn具有较强的耐性和富集能力,可利用蜈蚣草修复Pb污染土壤以及低Zn浓度的Pb-Zn复合污染土壤.     

龙葵根际和内生Cd抗性细菌的筛选及其生物学特性

调查了南京栖霞铅锌银矿区龙葵根际土壤和植株的重金属含量,采用稀释培养法和选择性培养基分离筛选Cd抗性细菌并研究其生物学特性.结果表明,栖霞山铅锌银矿区龙葵根际土壤总Cd含量平均为19.74 mg·kg -1,污染十分严重,龙葵(Solanum nigrum)茎和叶的Cd富集系数分别为1.21 ～9.65和0.65 ～4.76,对Cd具有较强富集能力.从龙葵根际土壤和植株中分离筛选到5株Cd抗性细菌,菌株AR1和AY1分别分离自根和叶内,BGJ4和CGJ1均分离自根际土.16S rDNA序列分析表明5株Cd抗性细菌均属于芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus),能够产生吲哚乙酸(IAA)和铁载体,根内生细菌AR1在含Cd2+ 30 mg·L-1的培养基中仍能生长良好.在1.5 mg· L-1Cd2+污染条件下,Cd抗性细菌AR1、AY1、BGJ4菌株能够明显促进油菜(Oilseed rape)幼苗根的伸长,在植物-微生物联合修复重金属污染土壤方面具有潜在的应用前景.     

铜陵矿集区土壤中污染元素对微生物特性的影响研究

通过铜陵矿集区土壤中重金属污染元素含量与土壤中微生物生物量之间的对应关系,研究其环境效应。采集深度为20cm的土样,分别制备不同微生物的培养基以期对土壤中的微生物进行分离计数,细菌和放线菌采用稀释平板涂布法计数,高铁还原菌采用最大或然数法计数。研究结果表明,铜陵矿集区土壤中As、Au、Cd、Zn、Cu、Pb元素含量与土壤中细菌、放线菌、高铁还原菌数量之间的相关关系为：As、Au、Zn、Cu与细菌和放线菌,Cd、Pb与放线菌的含量呈负相关关系,指示了土壤中高浓度污染元素对微生物的抑制作用;Cd、Pb与细菌,Cd、Zn与高铁还原菌的含量呈正相关关系,反映部分微生物受污染元素的胁迫已产生了耐受性;Au、Pb、As与高铁还原菌数量的关系不明显。通过实验数据发现,微生物在重金属含量高的区域和含量低的区域的数量下降了大约2～3个数量级,有些区域微生物数量下降了约50%。矿集区土壤中三种菌种对污染元素的敏感程度不同,其敏感程度依次是：放线菌〉细菌〉高铁还原菌。矿集区部分土壤中,细菌、高铁还原菌由于其本身的耐受性或由于受胁迫而产生了耐受性,对Cd、Zn、Pb等三种重金属污染元素的抗性水平较高,具有作为土壤重金属元素污染修复微生物菌种的潜力。     

牛磺熊脱氧胆酸在棕榈酸诱导的INS-1细胞凋亡中的作用（Effects of Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid on the Apoptosis of INS-1 Cells Cultured by Palmitate）

为观察牛磺熊脱氧胆酸(Tauroursodeoxycholic acid,TUDCA)对棕榈酸(Palmitate)诱导的INS-1细胞凋亡的影响,分别用不同浓度棕榈酸(0.25mmol·L-1、0.5mmol·L-1、1.0mmol·L-1),棕榈酸(0.5mmol·L-1)+不同浓度TUDCA(25μmol·L-1、50μmol·L-1、100μmol·L-1)培养INS-1细胞12h,用MTT法检测细胞毒性作用,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,RT-PCR技术检测凋亡相关基因Bax/Bcl-2的表达.结果表明,与空白对照组比较,棕榈酸组(浓度≥0.5mmol·L-1)INS-1细胞凋亡率显著上升(p<0.05);加TUDCA培养组,当浓度≥50μmol·L-1时,与棕榈酸组相比,INS-1细胞凋亡率显著下降(p<0.05),呈剂量-效应关系.此外,棕榈酸组(浓度≥0.5mmol·L-1)INS-1细胞凋亡相关基因Bax表达显著上升(p<0.05),Bcl-2则明显下降;加TUDCA后,Bax基因表达显著下降(p<0.05),而Bcl-2则明显上升(p<0.05),并呈剂量-效应关系.以上结果表明,TUDCA能够减少游离脂肪酸引起的INS-1细胞凋亡,对INS-1细胞发挥保护作用.而凋亡促进基因Bax的表达下调,凋亡抑制基因Bcl-2的表达上调可能是其作用机制之一.     

多壁碳纳米管存在环境下Pb、Zn对斑马鱼毒性的变化(The Change of the Toxicity of Pb and Zn on Zebrafish in the Case of the Existence of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes)

研究了重金属铅、锌对斑马鱼的急性毒性效应及在人工碳纳米材料——多壁碳纳米管存在环境下,铅、锌对斑马鱼毒性的变化.结果显示,随着铅(Pb(NO3)2)、锌(ZnSO4)浓度的增加以及染毒时间的延长,斑马鱼死亡率逐渐增加;单一多壁碳纳米管悬液(10mg·L-1)对斑马鱼无明显毒性效应.Pb和Zn对斑马鱼24h、48h和96h的LC50分别为5.38mg·L-1、3.99mg·L-1、3.83mg·L-1和26.37mg·L-1、21.39mg·L-1、20.62mg·L-1;在多壁碳纳米管存在条件下,二者对斑马鱼24h、48h和96h的LC50分别为2.74mg·L-1、2.26mg·L-1、2.15mg·L-1和21.85mg·L-1、17.17mg·L-1、16.77mg·L-1.多壁碳纳米管存在条件下铅、锌对斑马鱼的LC50显著降低,提示碳纳米材料可能会增加重金属对水生生物的毒性.     

藻细胞膜电信号对重金属的快速反应研究

为探讨藻细胞膜电信号对重金属离子的响应特征,运用细胞外表面技术和电化学方法研究了淡水藻——大型轮藻(Nitellaflexilis)藻细胞膜电位和膜电阻对汞、镉、铅的快速反应.结果表明,细胞膜电位和膜电阻对汞、镉响应灵敏且快速,30min内即对1μmol·L-1Hg2+、Cd2+表现出超极化和膜电阻增大反应,而5、10μmol·L-1Hg2+、Cd2+则在15min内引起细胞去极化、膜电阻减小,且剂量效应显著.细胞膜电信号对Pb2+的响应浓度为100μmol·L-1,30min内细胞先去极化后超极化,膜电阻持续增大.重金属作用前后相比,高浓度Hg2+、Cd2+(5、10μmol·L-1)导致藻细胞不可逆损伤,而其低浓度所致的损伤可恢复.Pb2+致藻细胞不可逆损伤的最低浓度为500μmol·L-1.对比膜电信号对3种离子的响应特点,发现藻细胞膜电位和膜电阻对Hg2+和Cd2+的响应灵敏度大于Pb2+.     

电子废物不当处置的重金属污染及其环境风险评价 Ⅳ. 电子废物不当回收地区流域水体沉积物的重金属污染

为了解电子废物不当处置活动对小流域内水体沉积物金属污染的影响,采集了位于广东省清远市龙塘镇和石角镇的电子废物焚烧和酸解活动核心区内水塘和水库的0～40cm沉积物以及附近河流大燕河表层(0～5cm)沉积物样本,分析了样本中的金属(水塘、水库:Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr;大燕河:Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Ni、Mg、Mn)含量.作为对照,对珠江口伶仃洋沉积物中的5种重金属(Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr)含量也进行了分析.结果表明,1)在核心区内,5种重金属的平均含量在接近酸解作坊的水塘沉积物中呈Cu(766.16mg·kg-1)>Zn(181.12mg·kg-1)>Pb(129.56mg·kg-1)>Cr(1.89mg·kg-1)≈Cd(1.12mg·kg-1),在其下游的水库沉积物中呈现相同的规律,但水塘沉积物的Cu、Zn、Pb含量均高于水库.水塘、水库沉积物重金属含量分布规律明显不同于伶仃洋沉积物,与伶仃洋沉积物相比,核心区水体沉积物Cu含量特别高,是伶仃洋沉积物的7～17倍,Pb和Cd则分别是伶仃洋的2.3～3.0倍和1.9～2.4倍,Zn、Cr含量与伶仃洋沉积物相近.2)Zn含量在核心区水体沉积物中均呈现出在20.0～30.0cm深度最高的趋势,Cu、Pb含量在水库沉积物中也有类似的表现,说明该深度的沉积物可能是电子废物回收处置活动最频繁的时期形成的,近年来随着政府取缔工作的加强,电子废物非法处置活动的减少,Zn、Cu、Pb含量有明显的下降.3)大燕河沉积物中6种重金属(Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Cd、Ni)的总含量表现为中游下段(1261.3mg·kg-1)>中游中段(1049.2mg·kg-1)>中游上段(401.8mg·kg-1)>上游(364.6mg·kg-1)>下游(215.4mg·kg-1).Cu、Zn、Pb和Cr含量均在中游下段的沉积物中出现最大值,次大值出现在中游中段,Ni、Cd在中游中段出现最大值,次大值出现在中游下段.中游中、下段沉积物中金属含量最大值和其上游(或中游上段)河段含量最低值的比值呈现Cu(10.1)>Cr(7.8)>Zn(3.8)>Cd(2.0)>Pb(1.9)>Ni(1.8),显示这些重金属主要从中游中、下段进入大燕河沉积物,其中Cu污染最为严重,而Cr污染可能与水土流失或当地其他活动释放的Cr有关.4)比较流域内土壤和各种沉积物以及伶仃洋沉积物中重金属的构成比例发现,核心区土壤和沉积物以及大燕河沉积物中的重金属具有明显的同源性.随着离源区距离的增加,重金属的构成比例中最明显的变化是Cu的比例下降以及Zn的比例上升。     

兰州市主城区土壤重金属空间分布特征及污染评价

为查明兰州市4个主要城区土壤重金属Cu、Zn、Pb的空间分布特征和环境质量状况,应用Kriging最优内插法和地累积指数法进行研究,结果表明：Cu、Zn、Pb在研究区土壤中有一定程度的累积;3种重金属含量的空间变异较大,最高值均出现在西固区;大部分区域土壤Cu含量低于背景值,大部分区域土壤Zn、Pb均大于背景值,其中Pb在城关区土壤含量普遍较高。根据地累积指数法,Cu、Pb的大部分及Zn的全部样点都在轻污染-中污染及以下水平;土壤Cu的0级样点占50%以上,但在西固区有1个强污染样点;Zn和Pb样点主要在1级水平,Zn在七里河区污染程度相对严重;城关区土壤均受到不同程度的Pb污染;安宁区土壤环境质量相对较好。     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Parasitic wasps orient to green leaf volatiles

Summary Undamaged plants emit low levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), while caterpillar-damaged and artificially damaged plants emit relatively higher levels of certain GLVs. Female braconid parasitoids,Microplitis croceipes, oriented to both damaged plants and to individual GLVs in no-choice tests in a wind tunnel, but seldom oriented to undamaged plants. Female ichneumonid parasitoids,Netelia heroica, also oriented to individual GLVs in a wind tunnel. Males of both wasp species failed to orient to the GLVs. These data show that leaf-feeding caterpillars can cause the release of GLVs, and that parasitic wasps can respond to these odors by flying upwind (chemoanemotactic response), which brings the wasps to their caterpillar hosts. This supports the hypothesis that plants communicate with members of the third trophic level,i.e., plants under herbivore attack emit chemical signals that guide natural enemies of herbivores to sites of plant damage. In this interaction, the GLVs serve as tritrophic plant-to-parasitoid synomones. That parasitoids from two different wasp families oriented to GLVs suggests that the response may be widespread among the Hymenoptera.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture     

Human Influence and Classical Biogeographic Predictors of Rare Species Occurrence

Biogeographic theory predicts that rare species occur more often in larger, less‐isolated habitat patches and suggests that patch size and connectivity are positive predictors of patch quality for conservation. However, in areas substantially modified by humans, rare species may be relegated to the most isolated patches. We used data from plant surveys of 81 meadow patches in the Georgia Basin of Canada and the United States to show that presence of threatened and endangered plants was positively predicted for patches that were isolated on small islands surrounded by ocean and for patches that were isolated by surrounding forest. Neither patch size nor connectivity were positive predictors of rare species occurrence. Thus, in our study area, human influence, presumably due to disturbance or introduction of competitive non‐native species, appears to have overwhelmed classical predictors of rare species distribution, such that greater patch isolation appeared to favor presence of rare species. We suggest conservation planners consider the potential advantages of protecting geographically isolated patches in human‐modified landscapes because such patches may represent the only habitats in which rare species are likely to persist. Influencia Humana y Predictores Biogeográficos Clásicos de la Ocurrencia de Especies Raras     

Seasonal dynamics of macro-algae in the South Lake of Tunis

The macro-algae communities observed in the south lake of Tunis are characterized by the predominance of nitrophilous algae which are in the order of biomass importance:Ulva, Cladophora andEnteromorpha. We have noted seasonal changes of alga distribution. The wind appears to be one of the most important factors influencing this distribution. The total biomass reaches a maximum in the spring. Rapid decomposition of the biomass leads to a severe ecological imbalance, resulting in crises of anoxia and fish death. A restoration project has already started. It aims at removal of contaminated muds and the introduction of a new circulation system. The main objectives of this work were to collect information on the distribution and biomass of the phytobenthic communities as a first step in the constitution of a database for further comparison.     

Patterns and biases of climate change threats in the IUCN Red List

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments rely on published data and expert inputs, and biases can be introduced where underlying definitions and concepts are ambiguous. Consideration of climate change threat is no exception, and recently numerous approaches to assessing the threat of climate change to species have been developed. We explored IUCN Red List assessments of amphibians and birds to determine whether species listed as threatened by climate change display distinct patterns in terms of habitat occupied and additional nonclimatic threats faced. We compared IUCN Red List data with a published data set of species’ biological and ecological traits believed to infer high vulnerability to climate change and determined whether distributions of climate change‐threatened species on the IUCN Red List concur with those of climate change‐threatened species identified with the trait‐based approach and whether species possessing these traits are more likely to have climate change listed as a threat on the IUCN Red List. Species in some ecosystems (e.g., grassland, shrubland) and subject to particular threats (e.g., invasive species) were more likely to have climate change as a listed threat. Geographical patterns of climate change‐threatened amphibians and birds on the IUCN Red List were incongruent with patterns of global species richness and patterns identified using trait‐based approaches. Certain traits were linked to increases or decreases in the likelihood of a species being threatened by climate change. Broad temperature tolerance of a species was consistently related to an increased likelihood of climate change threat, indicating counterintuitive relationships in IUCN assessments. To improve the robustness of species assessments of the vulnerability or extinction risk associated with climate change, we suggest IUCN adopt a more cohesive approach whereby specific traits highlighted by our results are considered in Red List assessments. To achieve this and to strengthen the climate change‐vulnerability assessments approach, it is necessary to identify and implement logical avenues for further research into traits that make species vulnerable to climate change (including population‐level threats).