Scientists of different disciplines have recognized the valuable role of terrestrial caves as ideal natural laboratories in which to study multiple eco-evolutionary processes, from genes to ecosystems. Because caves and other subterranean habitats are semi-closed systems characterized by a remarkable thermal stability, they should also represent insightful systems for understanding the effects of climate change on biodiversity in situ. Whilst a number of recent advances have demonstrated how promising this fast-moving field of research could be, a lack of synthesis is possibly holding back the adoption of caves as standard models for the study of the recent climatic alteration. By linking literature focusing on physics, geology, biology and ecology, we illustrate the rationale supporting the use of subterranean habitats as laboratories for studies of global change biology. We initially discuss the direct relationship between external and internal temperature, the stability of the subterranean climate and the dynamics of its alteration in an anthropogenic climate change perspective. Owing to their evolution in a stable environment, subterranean species are expected to exhibit low tolerance to climatic perturbations and could theoretically cope with such changes only by shifting their distributional range or by adapting to the new environmental conditions. However, they should have more obstacles to overcome than surface species in such shifts, and therefore could be more prone to local extinction. In the face of rapid climate change, subterranean habitats can be seen as refugia for some surface species, but at the same time they may turn into dead-end traps for some of their current obligate inhabitants. Together with other species living in confined habitats, we argue that subterranean species are particularly sensitive to climate change, and we stress the urgent need for future research, monitoring programs and conservation measures.

中文翻译：

---

气候变化深入：全球气候变化对洞穴生态系统的影响

不同学科的科学家已经认识到陆地洞穴作为理想的自然实验室的宝贵作用，可以在其中研究从基因到生态系统的多种生态进化过程。由于洞穴和其他地下生境是具有显着热稳定性的半封闭系统，因此它们还应代表有洞察力的系统，以了解气候变化对生物多样性的原位影响。尽管最近的许多进展表明了这一快速发展的研究领域的前景如何，但缺乏综合性可能阻碍了将洞穴作为最近气候变化研究的标准模型的采用。通过链接关注物理学，地质学，生物学和生态学的文献，我们阐述了支持使用地下栖息地作为全球变化生物学研究实验室的基本原理。我们首先从人为气候变化的角度讨论内部和外部温度，地下气候的稳定性及其变化的动力学之间的直接关系。由于其在稳定环境中的进化，预计地下物种对气候扰动的耐受性较低，并且理论上只能通过改变其分布范围或适应新的环境条件来应对这种变化。但是，在这种转变中，它们比表面物种应克服的障碍更多，因此可能更容易局部灭绝。面对迅速的气候变化，地下生境可以看作是某些地表物种的避难所，但与此同时，它们可能会变成某些当前专性居民的死胡同。我们与生活在狭窄栖息地中的其他物种一道，认为地下物种对气候变化特别敏感，我们强调迫切需要未来的研究，监测计划和保护措施。