According to a study conducted by researchers at the United States, populations of animals and plants need to be moving at the same speed to adapt to climate change.

In a study published in the journal Science, found that greenhouse gases have warmed the mainland by about 1 degree Celsius since 1960. This temperature increase three times faster than the increase in sea temperatures.

"Rising temperatures forced the population of wild animals and plants to adapt, keep moving and continue to relocate themselves," said the report published by the National Science Foundation, quoted from United Press International, 8 November 2011.

Although the oceans have increased a lower temperature, but the researchers say, plants and marine animals still need to move quickly as well as those that exist on land that can still survive in areas that are suitable for their habitat.

If plants and animals on land must migrate 2.5 kilometers per year, marine life must also be shifted as far as 2 kilometers per year.

"Unfortunately, not many sea creatures that can move that fast," said John Bruno, marine ecologist from the University of North Carolina who conducted the study.

"In fact, confined in a warm environment can lead to decline in growth, reproduction, and the safety of marine life are very important ecologically and economically such as fish, corals, and sea birds," said Bruno.