Opening and Introduction

Transcription

1 A future task in good hands European Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change - Science, Practice & Policy,, April 2011 in Bonn Opening and Introduction Prof. Dr. Beate Jessel President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN( BfN)

2 Biodiversity and Climate Change Biodiversity loss and climate change are the most pressing challenges of our times! The conservation sector is facing two challenges: (a) Adaptation of own policies, strategies and measures (b) Need to advocate the integration of biodiversity concerns in the adaptation strategies of other sectors Considerable amount of scientific results available but poor implementation Aim of the conference: explore options of how to improve the dialogue between science, policy and practice

3 The relevance of research for fulfilling BfN's responsibilities BfN as scientific advisory body of the German Ministry for the Environment (BMU): linking science and policy BfN as the highest federal authority for Nature Conservation: linking science and practice

4 BfN's research focus on climate change Climate change is a cross-sectoral theme relevant to the tasks of most of our working units BfN's climate research initiative Financed by the Federal Environment (from funds of the sale of emission certificates and the German Environment Ministry s Environmental Research Plan) Started in 2008 More than 30 projects (including research and development) Average project duration: 2 years Most projects are completed, 6 are still ongoing Project partners include more than 46 universities, research institutes and planning offices

5 Spectrum of BfN's climate research Mitigation Adaptation Adaptation within the conservation sector itself Options for maximizing conservation co-benefits within the scope of climate adaptation measures of other sectors Integrated and ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation and mitigation Ecosystem services Advancement of regulatory instruments Ethical aspects Implementation-focused and practice-oriented projects Complete list of all ongoing research projects related to "Climate change and Biodiversity" (available in German only):

6 Example 1: Germany s s protected areas under climate change risks and policy options potsdam.de/infothek

7 Example 1: Germany s s protected areas under climate change risks and policy options Probability of occurrence of species BIOMOD modelling results plants Range change in vegetation (types according to Schubert, Hilbig & Klotz 2001) Range change in % Vegetation type 1. Communities of freshwater 2. Communities of swamps, fens and bogs 3. Brackish water and salt marshes 4. Pioneer vegetation on rocks and scree 5. Communities of dunes, meadows, dry and poor swards 6. Ruderal and arable weed communities 7. Tall herb communities marginal to forests 8. Dwarf shrub communities 9. Bushes, hedges, and scrub 10. Forests and woods Hanspach et al. 2009, in prep.

8 Example 1: Germany s s protected areas under climate change risks and policy options What needs to happen? Improve conservation infrastructure, e.g.: Create PA administrations. Use a documented management plan. Apply Ecosystem Approach, e.g.: Shift to a more adaptive & integrative strategy. Switch to protecting ecosystems, water catchments and entire landscapes. Integrate stakeholder responsibilities. Strengthen resilience of conservation targets, e.g.: Factor in CC scenarios and vulnerability assessments. Defragment the landscape. Ibisch & Kreft (2008a, 2009a-d) The Conservation Measures Partnership sites-across across-eu eu-member member-states states and- maps/figures/distribution-of of-natura natura

9 Example 2: Still warmer, still drier? Urban nature and green space structures in the context of climate change How do urban green spaces (UGS) contribute to urban adaptation strategies on the impacts of climate change? How the implementation of green space planning can be improved in urban development? Analysis of urban (green) structure and climate modelling Analysis of urban green space planning and development Climatic regulation effects of UGS: potentials, future relevance, limits Potentials and deficits of planning strategies and instruments Recommendations for urban planning and management of UGS

10 Results: : Adaptation to Climate Change by Urban Green Spaces Analysis of climatic effects of urban vegetation structures (1) profiles for urban vegetation structure types structure of vegetation land use/built-up up structure climatic regulation effects biodiversity (2) scenarios for land use change Neighbourhood Park with Lawn Increase of temperature 0.5 K to 1.0 K Built-up up Area on the Lawn Recommendations for urban green space planning Green spaces have positive effects on urban climate. Big and coherent areas have a stronger cooling effect compared to small areas. The cooling effects within green spaces differ depending on vegetation structure. The higher the green volume density of a green space, the stronger is the cooling effect. Cooling effects of urban vegetation structure types differ in day and night. Built-up up areas have almost no cooling effect.

11 Example 3: Planning and management strategies of nature conservation The project assessed the consequences of climate change and its impacts for nature conservation the necessity to re-define existing or to set up new guidelines, aims, strategies, instruments and measures of nature conservation the suitability of different concepts to cope with consequences of climate change in nature conservation: Ecosystem approach, Adaptive management, Risk management, Vulnerability (new) requirements for landscape planning in order to adress climate change in terms of tasks, contents, methods and the planning procedure existing possibilities to consider climate change and its consequences within each working step of landscape planning

12 Example 3: Planning and management strategies of nature conservation Main results (selection): The existing legal basis in Germany is sufficient to cope with climate change in nature conservation Current aims, strategies and measures of nature conservation remain effective and applicable in many cases, but might need a shift in priority and be amended by new ones Some issues should gain higher importance, e.g. climate protection (natural carbon sinks), urban climate and health, maintenance of abiotic resources, scenery and recreation Aadaptive management seems appropriate for small conservation sites Already a lot of possibilities exist to address climate change related problems in landscape planning, respective recommendations are given in form of a checklist

13 Example 4: Ethical Arguments and Nature Conservation ecological / scientific Prudence Justice Good Life economic / profit-oriented oriented socio- cultural

14 BfN's s international involvement European level BfN is involved into Europes nature conservation policy and Member of the ENCA network (Network of Heads of European Nature Conservation Agencies). International level BfN supports activities under the Convention on Biological Diversity to integrate biodiversity conservation issues in the implementation of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

15 Scope of the conference Programme (key elements) Major goals Presentation and discussion of the latest results Poster session Panel Discussion Improving the dialogue between science policy and practice Strengthening Europe- wide cooperation

16 A future task in good hands European Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change - Science, Practice & Policy,, April 2011 in Bonn Opening and Introduction Prof. Dr. Beate Jessel President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN( BfN)