According to Science Alert, research conducted across continents from New Zealand to Canada has found that 20°C is the worldwide ideal temperature for life on Earth.
The search for this essential temperature began with the discovery that the thermal ranges of animals, plants, and microorganisms overlap at this point.
The findings, which are based on a systematic evaluation of published information, call into question assumptions regarding species distribution and emphasize the importance of 20°C in several biodiversity metrics.
The study, which spans continents from New Zealand to Canada, reveals a pattern in which the number of marine species peaks in subtropical regions rather than around the equator. Notably, this phenomena has worsened since the last ice age and is accelerating as a result of global ocean warming.
The 20°C effect is simple enough to explain a wide range of phenomena, from extinction rates to biological productivity.
This important study highlights the critical role of 20°C in defining ecosystem processes, species distribution, and life development, providing a new lens through which to comprehend the complex dance between temperature and life on Earth.
