This
particular article reviewing reports on species range shifts under
contemporary climate change would not have seen the light of day without
Robert K. Colwell (see Fig. \ref{907723}) 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, valuable advice and common sense and 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.