regions (Fig. 8.1) as stated by the EEA for the past and projected key impacts of
climate change effects (2010): Alpine areas suffer from high temperature increase,
whereas the lowlands of Central and Eastern Europe (incorporating the Continental,
Pannonian and Steppic regions) have to face more temperature extremes and less
summer precipitation (see Chaps. 2, 3, and 4).
In order to develop adapted management it is crucial to counteract against past and
projected key impacts of climate change and their effects, and to understand the
underlying processes and pattern. Biodiversity monitoring programmes can help
to understand these processes and altered pattern of biota (Lepetz et al. 2009).
Especially long-term monitoring programmes like the Global Observation Research
Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA, http://www.gloria.ac.at) help to understand key past changes since effects on plant species’ composition are often only
visible after decades (Gottfried et al. 2012). Future effects on biota are simulated in
models so that predictions on climate change impacts can be made. Due to the fact
that many abiotic and biotic parameters can be incorporated into the model they are
able to simulate complex biological processes (Lepetz et al. 2009). Therefore, various
species distribution models are used to project future species compositions of habitats
depending on various climate scenarios (e.g. Dullinger et al. 2012; Lepetz et al. 2009;
Bittner et al. 2011; Milad et al. 2011; Normand et al. 2007).
In HABIT-CHANGE the assessment of climate-induced impacts on habitats
focuses on existing frameworks (e.g. Rannow et al. 2010; Renetzeder et al. 2010) to
provide information about priorities for the climate change adapted management
process in the protected areas. The framework consists of sensitivity and exposure,
which are both leading to climate-induced impacts on habitats. Existing literature
Fig. 8.1 The biogeographical regions of Central and Eastern Europe, modified after EEA (2011)
116
I. Wagner-Lu ¨cker et al.
climate change effects (2010): Alpine areas suffer from high temperature increase,
whereas the lowlands of Central and Eastern Europe (incorporating the Continental,
Pannonian and Steppic regions) have to face more temperature extremes and less
summer precipitation (see Chaps. 2, 3, and 4).
In order to develop adapted management it is crucial to counteract against past and
projected key impacts of climate change and their effects, and to understand the
underlying processes and pattern. Biodiversity monitoring programmes can help
to understand these processes and altered pattern of biota (Lepetz et al. 2009).
Especially long-term monitoring programmes like the Global Observation Research
Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA, http://www.gloria.ac.at) help to understand key past changes since effects on plant species’ composition are often only
visible after decades (Gottfried et al. 2012). Future effects on biota are simulated in
models so that predictions on climate change impacts can be made. Due to the fact
that many abiotic and biotic parameters can be incorporated into the model they are
able to simulate complex biological processes (Lepetz et al. 2009). Therefore, various
species distribution models are used to project future species compositions of habitats
depending on various climate scenarios (e.g. Dullinger et al. 2012; Lepetz et al. 2009;
Bittner et al. 2011; Milad et al. 2011; Normand et al. 2007).
In HABIT-CHANGE the assessment of climate-induced impacts on habitats
focuses on existing frameworks (e.g. Rannow et al. 2010; Renetzeder et al. 2010) to
provide information about priorities for the climate change adapted management
process in the protected areas. The framework consists of sensitivity and exposure,
which are both leading to climate-induced impacts on habitats. Existing literature
Fig. 8.1 The biogeographical regions of Central and Eastern Europe, modified after EEA (2011)
116
I. Wagner-Lu ¨cker et al.