India, Nov. 13 -- More than a quarter of nearly 1,000 cactus species could lose over 80% of their climatically suitable habitat by 2100, a new Nature study warns.

Climate models that account for severe droughts predict substantially greater habitat losses than those based on average climate conditions.

Including extreme droughts increased the proportion of species projected to lose more than 80% of suitable habitat from 1-15% to 25-35% across different emissions scenarios.

Cactus diversity hotspots in Chile, Peru and northeastern Brazil face particularly severe risks, potentially threatening ecosystems that depend on these plants.

Researchers warn that even drought-adapted species may struggle to survive longer, more intense droughts ...