Publisher :
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2007
Thematic : Climate Change and Biodiversity
Language : English
Note
This guidance is aimed at those who plan and deliver conservation of terrestrial biodiversity.1
The six guiding principles described in this document summarise current thinking on how to
reduce the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and how to adapt existing plans and projects
in the light of climate change. Although this guidance is intended to inform implementation of the
UK Biodiversity Action Plan, taking account of climate change is also relevant to the fulfilment of
many international agreements and obligations affecting the UK, including the EU target to halt
biodiversity loss by 2010.2 Proposals for policy change are beyond the scope of this document but
because actions are ultimately linked to policy frameworks, there is also much to be done to
review and strengthen policy at a country, UK and international level.
Two types of action need to be taken to address the challenge of climate change and biodiversity
conservation. The first is adaptation, which means increasing the ability of natural systems to
absorb and respond to change, given that the world is irrevocably committed to some degree of
climate change. This guidance suggests what conservationists can do to contribute to this aim
through the conservation plans and activities within their control.
The second type of action is mitigation, that is controlling and reducing emissions of greenhouse
gases, the root cause of climate change. Although this is not the subject of this guide, it is
recognised that hugely important decisions made about land management may exacerbate or
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and some actions suggested here may contribute to mitigation.
Our ability to predict the way in which biodiversity will be influenced by climate change is limited.
The obvious question is, if we cannot predict the future with certainty, how can we plan wildlife
adaptation? In essence, we must learn to manage by taking account of uncertainty. We should
choose actions that, on the basis of the best available evidence, are most likely to benefit
biodiversity as well as other ecosystem services, such as soil conservation, air and water quality,
flood alleviation, high-quality food, health, employment and recreation.3 Many adaptation actions
proposed here will be beneficial whatever the extent, rate or direction of climate change.
Of course, measures or plans should be reviewed frequently and systematically to take account of
current research on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. In the next few years we may
know more about the ecological processes involved, and we will need to assess the effectiveness
of these guidelines and propose new adaptation techniques based upon research, practical
experience and monitoring.
It is imperative to take action as soon as possible. Conservationists across government and the
voluntary sector are now considering how to design not only networks of Protected Areas but also
broader measures to conserve the ecosystems and biodiversity of the future rather than just trying
to maintain what exists now. There will be some tough choices to make about allocations of
resources to conserve individual species and habitats in the light of inevitable change, but there
are also some real opportunities to integrate action for biodiversity with other sectors like
agriculture, forestry, water management and land-use planning so accessing additional resources
to secure a countryside rich in wildlife.
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Keywords : mangrove
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
