adaptation is a long-term concern. Project-based activities like research or
INTERREG projects are not able to provide long-term support. Projects like
HABIT-CHANGE can only start processes and initiate actions that need local
institutions as drivers of change. Adaptation planning is a first step in initiating a
long-term adaptation process. It should help to improve understanding of the current
and potential future impacts of climate change, raise awareness and acceptance for
adaptation actions, start development of inclusive planning approaches that guarantee
adequate stakeholder involvement and initiate Adaptive Management. However,
without local-based and long-term-oriented support the implementation of climate
adaptation will fail. Short-term oriented projects might even cause harm if they raise
expectations in regard to results and participation in decision-making at the local
level that cannot be fulfilled. This can result in participants becoming demotivated
and valuable resources being used in an ineffective way.
20.6.3 Definition of Acceptable Change
In the long run, climate change will change distributions of species as well as the
composition of habitats (Lindenmayer et al. 2008). It is unlikely that all specific
conservation goals can be achieved with such grave environmental changes. In the
future, we might be confronted with the need to balance near-term goals for the
protection of species and habitats with more long-term goals for sustaining ecological
systems and functions that are more likely to persist under changed climate conditions
(Glick et al. 2011b). However, we might also find that not every change in species
distribution or habitat composition is a reason for concern. In HABIT-CHANGE we
have seen many changes that just accelerate natural succession. More research and
open discussions will be necessary to answer the question as to which changes in
habitats can be tolerated and which habitats should be preserved in their current state. It
would be useful to define the limits for acceptable changes for each habitat type.
Nevertheless, some species and systems may only be conserved through
intensive interventions (Heller and Zavaletta 2009). If no actions are capable of
achieving the stated objective, it may even be necessary to adapt and revise
objectives (Cross et al. 2012). Letting go of existing objectives and negotiating
new aims will be a painful process for many conservationists. Furthermore, there is
the risk that arguments involving climatic changes and reformulation of goals might
be used to compromise years of protection efforts and achievements. Climate
change must not be used as an excuse to limit conservation efforts or inefficient
protection. To be prepared for this discussion a proactive conservation management
should have answers ready on when, how much, and in what ways conservation
management must be adapted (Glick et al. 2011b). Limits on acceptable change
might help to identify thresholds related to when and where strategies could
change from conserving the current state, to accommodating changes, to initiating
transformation of habitats (Morecroft et al. 2012).
300
S. Rannow et al.
INTERREG projects are not able to provide long-term support. Projects like
HABIT-CHANGE can only start processes and initiate actions that need local
institutions as drivers of change. Adaptation planning is a first step in initiating a
long-term adaptation process. It should help to improve understanding of the current
and potential future impacts of climate change, raise awareness and acceptance for
adaptation actions, start development of inclusive planning approaches that guarantee
adequate stakeholder involvement and initiate Adaptive Management. However,
without local-based and long-term-oriented support the implementation of climate
adaptation will fail. Short-term oriented projects might even cause harm if they raise
expectations in regard to results and participation in decision-making at the local
level that cannot be fulfilled. This can result in participants becoming demotivated
and valuable resources being used in an ineffective way.
20.6.3 Definition of Acceptable Change
In the long run, climate change will change distributions of species as well as the
composition of habitats (Lindenmayer et al. 2008). It is unlikely that all specific
conservation goals can be achieved with such grave environmental changes. In the
future, we might be confronted with the need to balance near-term goals for the
protection of species and habitats with more long-term goals for sustaining ecological
systems and functions that are more likely to persist under changed climate conditions
(Glick et al. 2011b). However, we might also find that not every change in species
distribution or habitat composition is a reason for concern. In HABIT-CHANGE we
have seen many changes that just accelerate natural succession. More research and
open discussions will be necessary to answer the question as to which changes in
habitats can be tolerated and which habitats should be preserved in their current state. It
would be useful to define the limits for acceptable changes for each habitat type.
Nevertheless, some species and systems may only be conserved through
intensive interventions (Heller and Zavaletta 2009). If no actions are capable of
achieving the stated objective, it may even be necessary to adapt and revise
objectives (Cross et al. 2012). Letting go of existing objectives and negotiating
new aims will be a painful process for many conservationists. Furthermore, there is
the risk that arguments involving climatic changes and reformulation of goals might
be used to compromise years of protection efforts and achievements. Climate
change must not be used as an excuse to limit conservation efforts or inefficient
protection. To be prepared for this discussion a proactive conservation management
should have answers ready on when, how much, and in what ways conservation
management must be adapted (Glick et al. 2011b). Limits on acceptable change
might help to identify thresholds related to when and where strategies could
change from conserving the current state, to accommodating changes, to initiating
transformation of habitats (Morecroft et al. 2012).
300
S. Rannow et al.