Major challenges in adapting nature conservation management originate from a
lack of sufficient understanding of the complex functional relations in natural
systems and from uncertainties in predicted changes or impacts due to climate
change. Additionally, knowledge about the effectiveness of different management
practices is usually scarce or poorly documented. A methodical adaptation
approach has to deal with these uncertainties and knowledge gaps in order to foster
decision making with a limited workforce and limited time and funds available at
local levels (Hansen and Hoffmann 2011). External scientific input and support is
essential for all protected areas but must be tailored to meet the needs and decision
contexts of each area’s management (see Chap. 5).
10.5 Introducing Adaptive Management
Management of protected areas should be based on profound knowledge about the
functional and structural components, and the conservation status of species, habitats
and ecosystems. It should also be based on knowledge about the effectiveness and
efficiency of different management options and their impacts on the conservation
status. Unfortunately, knowledge about complex natural systems like habitats and
ecosystems, about the impacts of climate change on these natural systems, and about
the effectiveness of different management activities is still insufficient. However,
lack of knowledge or understanding, and uncertainties in projected climatic changes
or in responses to these changes can be no excuse for inaction! Instead of hesitation,
the concept of simultaneously managing natural systems and learning about them
should be introduced in protected area management.
Adaptive Management is organised as a learning process (Williams 2011). It is
an active approach that can be used to reduce uncertainties and knowledge gaps
regarding actual impacts of climate change, functional changes in ecosystems and
the effectiveness of different response options. Adaptive Management is one of the
most recommended strategies for dealing with climate change. It “allows managers
to determine systematically whether management activities are succeeding or
failing to achieve objectives” (Williams et al. 2009, p. 57). A climate change
adapted management plan should prepare for the implementation of Adaptive
Management and guide the necessary working steps. Williams et al. (2009) offer
practical guidance for the introduction in nature conservation. The concept cannot
be applied at all scales and for all management tasks (Gregory et al. 2006); however, if it is carefully prepared and tailored to a well-defined management situation,
it is the key to an effective conservation under changing climatic conditions.
Its main feature is the implementation of different alternative response options at
the same time in conjunction with systematic monitoring of effectiveness and
efficiency of those options. Impacts of future changes along with potential measures
have to be monitored and evaluated as part of the management process in order to
learn about the managed resource and to improve management decisions. In that
way, experts in the field can reduce the uncertainty regarding possible system
10 A Methodical Framework for Climate Change-Adapted Management. . .
163
lack of sufficient understanding of the complex functional relations in natural
systems and from uncertainties in predicted changes or impacts due to climate
change. Additionally, knowledge about the effectiveness of different management
practices is usually scarce or poorly documented. A methodical adaptation
approach has to deal with these uncertainties and knowledge gaps in order to foster
decision making with a limited workforce and limited time and funds available at
local levels (Hansen and Hoffmann 2011). External scientific input and support is
essential for all protected areas but must be tailored to meet the needs and decision
contexts of each area’s management (see Chap. 5).
10.5 Introducing Adaptive Management
Management of protected areas should be based on profound knowledge about the
functional and structural components, and the conservation status of species, habitats
and ecosystems. It should also be based on knowledge about the effectiveness and
efficiency of different management options and their impacts on the conservation
status. Unfortunately, knowledge about complex natural systems like habitats and
ecosystems, about the impacts of climate change on these natural systems, and about
the effectiveness of different management activities is still insufficient. However,
lack of knowledge or understanding, and uncertainties in projected climatic changes
or in responses to these changes can be no excuse for inaction! Instead of hesitation,
the concept of simultaneously managing natural systems and learning about them
should be introduced in protected area management.
Adaptive Management is organised as a learning process (Williams 2011). It is
an active approach that can be used to reduce uncertainties and knowledge gaps
regarding actual impacts of climate change, functional changes in ecosystems and
the effectiveness of different response options. Adaptive Management is one of the
most recommended strategies for dealing with climate change. It “allows managers
to determine systematically whether management activities are succeeding or
failing to achieve objectives” (Williams et al. 2009, p. 57). A climate change
adapted management plan should prepare for the implementation of Adaptive
Management and guide the necessary working steps. Williams et al. (2009) offer
practical guidance for the introduction in nature conservation. The concept cannot
be applied at all scales and for all management tasks (Gregory et al. 2006); however, if it is carefully prepared and tailored to a well-defined management situation,
it is the key to an effective conservation under changing climatic conditions.
Its main feature is the implementation of different alternative response options at
the same time in conjunction with systematic monitoring of effectiveness and
efficiency of those options. Impacts of future changes along with potential measures
have to be monitored and evaluated as part of the management process in order to
learn about the managed resource and to improve management decisions. In that
way, experts in the field can reduce the uncertainty regarding possible system
10 A Methodical Framework for Climate Change-Adapted Management. . .
163