NTU HIGHLIGHTS

Asst. Prof. Syuan-Jyun Sun, International Degree Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Climate change is transforming ecosystems worldwide, reshaping how species interact and altering the delicate balance of biodiversity. At National Taiwan University, the Sun Lab (see Figure 1) combines field studies, lab experiments, and museum collections to investigate these changes, focusing on burying beetles (Nicrophorus nepalensis; Figure 2a) as a model species.

Burying beetles play an important ecological role by burying and decomposing small animal carcasses, which helps recycle nutrients back into the soil. Their sensitivity to temperature shifts makes them excellent indicators for studying the effects of climate change. Through extensive surveys across urban and rural areas in northern Taiwan, the research team discovered that urban development significantly lowers burying beetle populations (Figure 2b). Intriguingly, the beetles’ body size changes appeared linked to past land-use patterns, hinting at complex evolutionary responses to human-altered environments.

To understand the direct impact of warming, the team raised the temperature around beetle groups by 2°C—reflecting predicted future climate conditions—in controlled lab experiments. They found that this temperature increase disrupted the beetles' parental care behaviors, which are crucial for the survival and growth of their offspring. While caring for young usually helps shield larvae from environmental stresses, this protective effect weakened when both parents and larvae faced warmer conditions. This finding underscores how vulnerable climate-sensitive species can be, especially those that depend heavily on parental investment.

But the study goes beyond individual beetles to explore wider ecosystem functions. By combining behavioral observations with analyses of nutrient cycling, the researchers showed how burying beetles contribute to soil health and even help control blowfly populations. When beetles bury carcasses deeper in the soil, they return vital nutrients to the ground, supporting plant growth and overall ecosystem productivity.

These insights are vital for conservation in an era of rapid environmental change. As cities expand and global temperatures climb, understanding how species adapt—or struggle to adapt—is key to protecting biodiversity and maintaining resilient ecosystems. By linking behavioral ecology, climate science, and conservation biology, the Sun Lab aims to build a comprehensive understanding of climate impacts on ecosystems and inform strategies to safeguard the natural world.