Scientists insist many of our animal and plant species are at risk to climate change unless accurate data about their habitat can be found.
The Bio-Protection Research Centre is calling for greater international collaboration to aide in their protection.
Lincoln Universty lecturer William Godsoe says species such as tuatara are already showing concerning signs.
"If we know how they're going to respond to climate change, then that will make it easier to know where we should prioritise conserving them, and where it makes sense to protect the species," he said.
Using mathematical models, scientists can forecast outcomes for species based on changes in global temperatures - but there are significant gaps.
Dr Godsoe says the results of modelling vary significantly.
"One of the big challenges we see for ecologists is to be able to predict what those changes will mean for individual species."
Dr Godsoe believes more long-term monitoring needs to be carried out on our endangered species.
Newshub.
