Book of Abstracts (PDF 1,5 MB)

This session focused on assessing sensitivity of ecosystems to climate change. Climate change affects places differently. Results for Northeast Germany show an increase of average daytime temperature, longer periods of droughts, as well as more frequent extreme weather events. Consequentially, higher stress on biodiversity is expected. INKA BB (Innovative network for Climate Change Adaptation Brandenburg Berlin) estimates the risks for Northeast German ecosystems by conducting spatial analysis of regional climate change projections. Another presentation showcased the development of a climate vulnerability index in Wales in order to identify sensitivities of habitat types and species to climate. On a smaller scale, one presentation focused on the sensitivity of plants with a high conservation value to the effects of climate change.

Chairs:
Prof. Dr. Georg Janauer (University of Vienna, Austria),
Prof. Dr. Anca Sarbu (Bucharest University, Romania)

This session explored different management practices and strategies for nature reserves, coral reefs, and coastal regions, among other places. Case studies included places in Romania, England, Jamaica, and Australia. The RSPB showed examples of practical adaptation action they implemented on its network of nature reserves in the UK to adapt to climate change and explain their long-term, strategic aims through their ‘Reserves Conservation Strategy’ and management plans.

A tool for adaptive management called MARISCO was also introduced. It includes new elements to the ongoing process of analysis and planning in conservation sites. It is designed to evaluate biodiversity and environmental problems at a large scale by focusing on ecosystem attributes and change dynamics, visualising complex situations in conservation sites, facilitating adaptive and proactive planning and strategies, promoting a realistic and nuanced vision and planning scheme and by improving on existing strategies.

Chair: Prof. Stefan Heiland (TU Berlin, Germany)

The session on the modelling of climate-induced impacts discussed the challenges of connecting climate model outputs and climate observation to impact research as well as quantifying the reliability of General Circulation Models for biodiversity impact studies amongst other things.

One specific examples presented involved the projected changes in bird populations within Special Protection Areas (SPAs). By modelling future changes to the abundance of Annex I and migratory bird species across the SPA network the most affected sites and species in the UK are discovered and adaptation strategies developed. Furthermore, climate change impacts on temperate perennials were discussed as some trees and plants have responded to recent climate changes by advancing spring phenology while others delay phenology. Quantifying effects of climate change on winter chill, and the responses of perennial species to such changes, could substantially enhance the ability to project climage change effects on such species.

Chair:
Dr. Katrin Vohland (Museum of Natural History – Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity at the Humboldt University Berlin, Germany)

The session "Legal Aspects & Policy Recommendations" discussed the economics of biodiversity and climate change, spatial planning and nature conservation policies and their decentralization from national governments to regional governments, as well as the need for integrated policy approaches and strategic adaptation to manage landscapes in sustainable ways. A legal study discusses the possibilities for climate change adaptation measures of the nature protection legislation for Natura 2000 sites. As European instruments in environmental protection the directives for bird species protection (Birds Directive) and the Habitats Directive are available. These were influenced i. a. by international regulations (Bern Convention, CBD, etc.). One lecture focused on the question of whether the Habitats and Birds Directive are suitable in their current form for bringing under control the consequences of climate change for the European natural heritage.

Chairs:
Dr. Jadwiga Sienkiewicz (IOS, Poland),
Dr. Juliane Albrecht (IOER, Germany)

This session focused on climate change impacts on species and invasive species, such as the rising sea-levels and the impact on Natura 2000 coastal habitats in Slovenia. Another Slovenian case study focused on the invasive and drought-tolerant Aster squamatus, which is native to North and South America. The alpine flora of Iranian mountains and its sensitivity to climate change as well as the patterns of human land use in mountainous China in response to climate change and the impacts on endangered snow leopard populations were discussed. Direct impacts on snow leopards include ecosystem changes and increased human pressure while indirect effects include the increased conflict with people and greater risk of persecution.

Chair: Prof. Dr. Mitja Kaligaric (University of Maribor, Slovenia)

This session focused on the monitoring of climate-induced impacts. Starting on the global level a model called EFCHUS was presented and assessed. It aims to assess the ecological footprint of the US and its impact on climate change. Other presentations were focusing on regional and local levels covering remote sensing methods to monitor habitats and satellite data application for ecological state assessment. Case studies from Hungary, Poland, Ukraine and Spain were presented.

Chair: Prof. Birgit Kleinschmidt (TU Berlin, Germany)