This particular story gathering reports on species range shifts under contemporary climate change would not have seen the light of day without Robert K. Colwell (see Fig ) to whom I am deeply indebted at several levels. Robert intervened several times throughout the difficult birth of that paper. Hence, I take the opportunity of this backstory to first and foremost acknowledge Robert for his help, precious advices and common sense as well as for trusting me when the odds were against me. Inevitably, Robert’s work on quantifying biodiversity was, and still is, a great source of inspiration for me and my research.