• derive a set of indicators reflecting local-scale effects of climate change (see
Chap. 6);
• establish monitoring concepts based on earth observation data and ground
truthing (see Chap. 7);
• assess habitat sensitivity to potential impacts (see Chap. 8);
• analyse existing legal framework for adapted management in protected areas
(see Chap. 9);
• adapt management plans, strategies, and measures of protected areas to climate
change effects (see Chap. 10);
• implement the findings on a practical level with the help of local experts, as well
as fostering public awareness of the policy and stakeholders, and also the demand
for adaptive management (see Chaps. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19);
• provide guidelines for climate change adaptation of protected areas on national
and transnational (e.g. EU) level.
These issues were part of the project objectives of “Adaptive Management of
Climate-induced Changes of Habitat Diversity in Protected Areas” (HABITCHANGE) and will be presented and discussed in this book. Thus, the information
about existing problems and solutions on local and regional levels and the experiences of implementing adaptation strategies with all its facets shall be shared. This
volume should support other conservation managers in coping with the challenges
of climate adapted management.
1.2 The Need for Adaptation and Obstacles for Application
The diversity of species and habitats is one of the foundations of life on earth
(Barnosky et al. 2012; Cardinale et al. 2012). Therefore, it seems advisable to
safeguard biodiversity on Earth from substantial threats like climate change
(e.g. McLaughlin et al. 2002; Carvalho et al. 2010; Bellard et al. 2012). Its first
effects are already apparent (Parmesan et al. 1999; Root et al. 2003) and the
speed of change is increasing (Chen et al. 2011). The impacts of climate change
will put additional pressure on the majority of endangered species and habitats.
The adaptation of conservation management in the face of such extensive transformations is a pressing need and an ambitious target. Changing climate conditions
as well as global transformations are challenging nature protection in general and
conservation management on site. To address these challenges new and adapted
concepts, tools, and practices are necessary (Dawson et al. 2011; Hobbs et al. 2010).
Most methods and tools are already available but need to be used with a new
perspective of climate change adaptation in mind (Hansen and Hoffman 2011;
Lawler 2009). This could be achieved, for instance, by:
• incorporating climate change in national or regional biodiversity conservation
plans (e.g. Groves et al. 2012);
• reflecting potential effects of climate change in the design of wildlife corridors
and adapting existing area networks (e.g. Vos et al. 2008);
4
S. Rannow et al.
Chap. 6);
• establish monitoring concepts based on earth observation data and ground
truthing (see Chap. 7);
• assess habitat sensitivity to potential impacts (see Chap. 8);
• analyse existing legal framework for adapted management in protected areas
(see Chap. 9);
• adapt management plans, strategies, and measures of protected areas to climate
change effects (see Chap. 10);
• implement the findings on a practical level with the help of local experts, as well
as fostering public awareness of the policy and stakeholders, and also the demand
for adaptive management (see Chaps. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19);
• provide guidelines for climate change adaptation of protected areas on national
and transnational (e.g. EU) level.
These issues were part of the project objectives of “Adaptive Management of
Climate-induced Changes of Habitat Diversity in Protected Areas” (HABITCHANGE) and will be presented and discussed in this book. Thus, the information
about existing problems and solutions on local and regional levels and the experiences of implementing adaptation strategies with all its facets shall be shared. This
volume should support other conservation managers in coping with the challenges
of climate adapted management.
1.2 The Need for Adaptation and Obstacles for Application
The diversity of species and habitats is one of the foundations of life on earth
(Barnosky et al. 2012; Cardinale et al. 2012). Therefore, it seems advisable to
safeguard biodiversity on Earth from substantial threats like climate change
(e.g. McLaughlin et al. 2002; Carvalho et al. 2010; Bellard et al. 2012). Its first
effects are already apparent (Parmesan et al. 1999; Root et al. 2003) and the
speed of change is increasing (Chen et al. 2011). The impacts of climate change
will put additional pressure on the majority of endangered species and habitats.
The adaptation of conservation management in the face of such extensive transformations is a pressing need and an ambitious target. Changing climate conditions
as well as global transformations are challenging nature protection in general and
conservation management on site. To address these challenges new and adapted
concepts, tools, and practices are necessary (Dawson et al. 2011; Hobbs et al. 2010).
Most methods and tools are already available but need to be used with a new
perspective of climate change adaptation in mind (Hansen and Hoffman 2011;
Lawler 2009). This could be achieved, for instance, by:
• incorporating climate change in national or regional biodiversity conservation
plans (e.g. Groves et al. 2012);
• reflecting potential effects of climate change in the design of wildlife corridors
and adapting existing area networks (e.g. Vos et al. 2008);
4
S. Rannow et al.