A collaborative group of researchers have developed a map intended to display the world's regions most vulnerable to climate change, according to a press release.

The study authors, of the Wildlife Conservative Society (WCS), the University of Queensland and Stanford University, hope their map can be used as a reference for government agencies and environmentalist groups.

"The analysis and map in this study is a means of bringing clarity to complicated decisions on where limited resources will do the most good," said co-author Dr. James Watson, of the WCS.

The study, published online in the journal Nature Climate Change, also aims to help specifically target areas for restoration projects, preventative measures and other conservations practices.

"We need to realize that climate change is going to impact ecosystems both directly and indirectly in a variety of ways and we can't keep on assuming that all adaptation actions are suitable everywhere," Watson said. "The fact is there is only limited funds out there and we need to start to be clever in our investments in adaptation strategies around the world."

The researchers believe past climate change studies are too general and do not take into account how various land and seascapes have been modified by human activity. These modifications, the authors said, affects how susceptible the land or seascape is to climate change.

The map is based on two main concepts. First, how intact an ecosystem is, and second, how stable the ecosystem will be under predicted future conditions. As a result, the map is divided into four possible categories.

Each general category of possible levels of stability and vegetation intactness come with their own recommendations for protection or preservation.

The new map suggests southern and southeastern Asia, western and central Europe, eastern South America, and southern Australia are most vulnerable. This contradicts previous research, which only lists central Africa, northern South America, and northern Australia as vulnerable regions.

"Effective conservation strategies must anticipate not only how species and habitats will cope with future climate change, but how humans will respond to these challenges," added Dr. John Robinson, Executive Vice President for Conservation and Science. "To that end, maintaining the integrity of the world's ecosystems will be the most important means of safeguarding the natural world and our own future."