How will climate change affect biodiversity?
Climate change is happening. We’re no longer just seeing evidence of its impacts in the polar regions; in the UK some of the things we are seeing include changes in the timings of seasonal events, changes in species ranges, changes to the habitats and ecosystems. A change to the timing of spring events for example can lead to loss of synchrony between species and the availability of food, and other resources upon which they depend.
Studies such as the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP02) have projected that we will continue to see increases in temperature rises; sea level rise and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events. All will have an impact on biodiversity. Both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Assessment and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment stated that whilst climate change is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss, biodiversity can also contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The 2007 MONARCH study (MOdelling NAtural Resource Response to Climate CHange) looked at 32 species to model what changes might occur to their climate space given various climate scenarios. It found that eight species would become increasingly threatened; six species would need to move northwards to survive; fifteen species may be able to extend their ranges; and three are likely to be unaffected.
The England Biodiversity Strategy seeks to ensure biodiversity considerations become embedded in all main sectors of public policy and has just published Climate Change Adaptation Principles – Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate (PDF, 387 KB). They build on guidance for conservation practitioners Conserving Biodiversity in a Changing Climate- Building Capacity to Adapt published in 2007. The Climate Change Adaptation Principles will help people managing conservation to plan what actions they need to take now to help the natural world adapt to climate change. There are 5 main groupings which all include a number of principles, each giving more detail on what the conservation actions might be. These are:
- Take practical action now
- Maintain and increase ecological resilience
- Accommodate change
- Integrate action across partners and sectors
- Develop knowledge and plan strategically
These principles have been written by AEA, Defra, Natural England, RSPB and the Woodland Trust who all hope they will be used widely as wildlife begins its journey to adapt to climate change.
Page last modified: 16 December 2008
Page published: 16 December 2008