sustainability of existing protected plants and habitats in different ways and with
different magnitude (Andrade et al. 2010). It is expected that climate change will
affect the species composition, reduce the richness of taxa, and will substantially
modify the functionality of many ecosystems (Andrade et al. 2010).
Some studies and projections (Arau ´jo et al. 2011) claim that by 2080 about 58 %
of European terrestrial plants and vertebrate species will no longer find climatic
conditions suitable for survival within the current protected areas. The consequences of potential climate change will be illustrated by Natura 2000 sites.
The aim of this chapter is to provide some information on actual and anticipated
impacts of climate change responsible for potential habitat changes in Natura 2000
sites, which comprise the most important protected areas for maintaining the
natural heritage of Europe (Campbell et al. 2009; EEA 2010) and especially Central
Europe. This chapter was prepared as part of the international project HABITCHANGE “Adaptive management of climate induced changes of habitat diversity
in protected areas,” consisting of partners from protected areas and scientific
organisations from eight European countries.
4.2 Considered Habitats, Categories of Source
and Taxonomic Nomenclature
To identify the potential effects of climate change on protected habitats, Natura
2000 habitat types selected for the HABIT-CHANGE project were considered.
These types were grouped into 14 categories (groups) according to the Natura 2000
system of classification (Interpretation manual of European Union Habitats, European Commission – DG EUR 27 2007).
1
Three categories of sources were used to compile the information of this chapter:
expert knowledge, specialised literature, and the authors’ expertise.
The information on impacts per habitat group was mainly based on expert
knowledge and was obtained by an enquiry of local experts focussing on actual
and potential future effects of climate change on Natura 2000 habitats. The basic
information was provided by experts from ten protected areas within the frame of
the HABIT-CHANGE project: Balaton Upland National Park, Biebrza National
Park, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Flusslandschaft Elbe – Brandenburg Biosphere Reserve, Ko ¨ros-Marcos National Park, Bucegi Natural Park, Rieserferner
Ahrn Nature Park, Secovlje Saline Nature Park, Triglav National Park and Vessetal
Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve.
An additional source of information was specialised literature included in
HABIT-CHANGE output 3.1.1. (HABIT-CHANGE 2010) as well as the personal
expertise of the authors of this chapter. The nomenclature of species used in this
chapter is in accordance with The Plant List (2010).
1 See HABIT-CHANGE output 3.2.5, 2011.
46
A. Sa ˆrbu et al.
different magnitude (Andrade et al. 2010). It is expected that climate change will
affect the species composition, reduce the richness of taxa, and will substantially
modify the functionality of many ecosystems (Andrade et al. 2010).
Some studies and projections (Arau ´jo et al. 2011) claim that by 2080 about 58 %
of European terrestrial plants and vertebrate species will no longer find climatic
conditions suitable for survival within the current protected areas. The consequences of potential climate change will be illustrated by Natura 2000 sites.
The aim of this chapter is to provide some information on actual and anticipated
impacts of climate change responsible for potential habitat changes in Natura 2000
sites, which comprise the most important protected areas for maintaining the
natural heritage of Europe (Campbell et al. 2009; EEA 2010) and especially Central
Europe. This chapter was prepared as part of the international project HABITCHANGE “Adaptive management of climate induced changes of habitat diversity
in protected areas,” consisting of partners from protected areas and scientific
organisations from eight European countries.
4.2 Considered Habitats, Categories of Source
and Taxonomic Nomenclature
To identify the potential effects of climate change on protected habitats, Natura
2000 habitat types selected for the HABIT-CHANGE project were considered.
These types were grouped into 14 categories (groups) according to the Natura 2000
system of classification (Interpretation manual of European Union Habitats, European Commission – DG EUR 27 2007).
1
Three categories of sources were used to compile the information of this chapter:
expert knowledge, specialised literature, and the authors’ expertise.
The information on impacts per habitat group was mainly based on expert
knowledge and was obtained by an enquiry of local experts focussing on actual
and potential future effects of climate change on Natura 2000 habitats. The basic
information was provided by experts from ten protected areas within the frame of
the HABIT-CHANGE project: Balaton Upland National Park, Biebrza National
Park, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Flusslandschaft Elbe – Brandenburg Biosphere Reserve, Ko ¨ros-Marcos National Park, Bucegi Natural Park, Rieserferner
Ahrn Nature Park, Secovlje Saline Nature Park, Triglav National Park and Vessetal
Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve.
An additional source of information was specialised literature included in
HABIT-CHANGE output 3.1.1. (HABIT-CHANGE 2010) as well as the personal
expertise of the authors of this chapter. The nomenclature of species used in this
chapter is in accordance with The Plant List (2010).
1 See HABIT-CHANGE output 3.2.5, 2011.
46
A. Sa ˆrbu et al.