This study investigates the vertical velocities of isotherm shifts in global mountain regions and their implications for species range shifts. Mountain ranges are rich in biodiversity and serve as critical refugia for species facing climate change. The study addresses the challenge of assessing isotherm shift velocities along elevation gradients, which is hindered by the scarcity of weather stations in mountainous regions. To overcome this, the researchers mapped the lapse rate of temperature (LRT) using satellite data (SLRT) and thermodynamic principles (moist adiabatic lapse rate, MALRT). By dividing the surface warming rate by SLRT or MALRT, they generated maps of vertical isotherm shift velocities. They identified 17 mountain regions with exceptionally high vertical isotherm shift velocities, predominantly in dry areas but also in wet regions with shallow lapse rates. The study links these velocities to species range shifts, finding that many species lag behind, suggesting that range shift dynamics will persist even with climate change mitigation. The findings are crucial for global conservation strategies, particularly in the 17 high-velocity mountain regions. The study highlights the importance of considering both temperature and water vapour pressure in determining isotherm shift velocities. It also reveals that higher warming rates and steeper lapse rates lead to faster isotherm shifts, with dry regions experiencing more pronounced effects. The study further shows that mountain islands in the Northern Hemisphere face higher threats from climate change than mainland mountains. The research underscores the need for improved meteorological networks and data collection to better understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on mountain biodiversity. The study provides a mechanistic understanding of mountain climate change and emphasizes the importance of considering thermodynamic principles in predicting species range shifts. The findings suggest that the vertical distance between isotherms in mountains is a key factor in species migration, and that colder, drier conditions at higher elevations can lead to steeper lapse rates and lower vertical velocities of isotherm shifts. The study also highlights the need for climate change adaptation strategies in biodiversity hotspots, particularly in mountain regions facing high isotherm shift velocities.This study investigates the vertical velocities of isotherm shifts in global mountain regions and their implications for species range shifts. Mountain ranges are rich in biodiversity and serve as critical refugia for species facing climate change. The study addresses the challenge of assessing isotherm shift velocities along elevation gradients, which is hindered by the scarcity of weather stations in mountainous regions. To overcome this, the researchers mapped the lapse rate of temperature (LRT) using satellite data (SLRT) and thermodynamic principles (moist adiabatic lapse rate, MALRT). By dividing the surface warming rate by SLRT or MALRT, they generated maps of vertical isotherm shift velocities. They identified 17 mountain regions with exceptionally high vertical isotherm shift velocities, predominantly in dry areas but also in wet regions with shallow lapse rates. The study links these velocities to species range shifts, finding that many species lag behind, suggesting that range shift dynamics will persist even with climate change mitigation. The findings are crucial for global conservation strategies, particularly in the 17 high-velocity mountain regions. The study highlights the importance of considering both temperature and water vapour pressure in determining isotherm shift velocities. It also reveals that higher warming rates and steeper lapse rates lead to faster isotherm shifts, with dry regions experiencing more pronounced effects. The study further shows that mountain islands in the Northern Hemisphere face higher threats from climate change than mainland mountains. The research underscores the need for improved meteorological networks and data collection to better understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on mountain biodiversity. The study provides a mechanistic understanding of mountain climate change and emphasizes the importance of considering thermodynamic principles in predicting species range shifts. The findings suggest that the vertical distance between isotherms in mountains is a key factor in species migration, and that colder, drier conditions at higher elevations can lead to steeper lapse rates and lower vertical velocities of isotherm shifts. The study also highlights the need for climate change adaptation strategies in biodiversity hotspots, particularly in mountain regions facing high isotherm shift velocities.