As temperature in many regions across the world is rising, more animals are marching gradually towards North Pole and South Pole in search of cold environment. Professor Camille Parmesan from Plymouth University in the UK calls present migration as faster than earlier predicted by scientists. It was announced during a conference that was hosted jointly by the University of Tasmania and the Institute for Marine and Antarctica Studies.

The conference was attended by scientists from 40 countries to discuss how climate change is forcing species to move, including humans. “For the species that we have really good data on where they’ve lived historically over the past 100 years, we’re seeing about half of those have actually moved where they live, which an astonishing number is given we’ve only had one degree centigrade warming,” said Parmesan, who was also a part of the four day conference.

Every species, including trees, herbs, butterflies, birds, mammals, amphibians, corals, invertebrates and fish, has been affected due to change in climate. Problem of migration to poles would prevail among humans as well. The problem was addressed as equally concerning to mankind.

One such marine species to move toward south is long-spined sea urchin, which is leaving east coast of Tasmania, also called a global hotspot for marine creatures. The species is believed to turn a pest. This species eats kelp, seagrass, other plant material and algal habitats.

According to Ecology Professor Hugh Possingham from the University of Queensland, the species are moving in response to surge in temperatures, but there is need to shift these animals to poles as they need faster migration with growing destruction to their habitat.