Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 days ago
Climate change could expand gemsbok habitat across the American Southwest
Gemsbok are large African antelope that have lived in New Mexico since 95 were brought to White Sands Missile Range between 1969 and 1977.
Their descendants have spread more than 62 miles from that site through the Chihuahuan Desert.
The animals are well adapted to heat and drought and can get most of their water from plants.
Researchers used wildlife sightings and computer models to assess where gemsbok might live as the Southwest warms.
The models found that cold winters currently limit their range, but warming could make more areas suitable and connect habitats by 2100.
Some suitable areas lie near the Rio Grande and in dry parts of California, though roads, farmland and other barriers may slow the animals’ spread.
Researchers say a wider range could increase competition for food with native wildlife and ranchers’ livestock.
Gemsbok, African antelopes introduced to New Mexico between 1969 and 1977, have spread more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) from their release site.
Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign modeled where gemsbok could live as the American Southwest warms.
The models found that winter cold is a major limit: suitable habitat had average temperatures of about 41 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 12 degrees Celsius) during the coldest three months.
Potential habitat includes areas near the Rio Grande and dry parts of California, though farmland, roads and other barriers may restrict movement.
Across three climate scenarios extending to 2100, suitable habitats became more connected, potentially giving gemsbok more opportunities to expand.
Researchers said expansion could increase competition for food with native wildlife and ranchers who use the same grasslands.
- Who
- Gemsbok and researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- What
- Researchers modeled how climate change could expand suitable habitat for introduced gemsbok in the American Southwest.
- When
- Research published October 9, 2026; climate scenarios extend to 2100.
- Where
- New Mexico and potential habitats across the American Southwest, including western Texas, Arizona and parts of California.
- Why
- Warming winters may make more areas suitable and connect habitats, while gemsbok are adapted to hot, dry conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gemsbok are famous for being really well adapted to heat and drought. In addition to other heat adaptations, they can get all of their water from plants, so they don’t really need to drink
We turned towards participant science to do this work
But when these patches coalesce and connect, there might be increased opportunities for gemsbok to invade and expand into these novel habitats.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Gemsbok introduced to New Mexico
- 95 animals were brought to White Sands Missile Range between 1969 and 1977.
- Spread from introduction site
- More than 62 miles (100 kilometers).
- Sightings used in research
- Researchers started with 112 recorded locations from 2006 to 2023 and narrowed these to 51.
- Modeled winter-temperature range
- About 41 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 12 degrees Celsius) on average during the coldest three months.
- Climate projections
- Three possible climate futures through 2100 showed increasingly connected suitable habitats.
Sources
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