Climate Change and Biodiversity

A number of reports have been recently published in the UK on how biodiversity may be affected by climate change and options for supporting adaptation. The MONARCH programme published its report on how shifts in climate space may affect the distribution of selected UK species. Of the 32 species looked at in detail, 29 are projected to see signficant shifts in their climate space. This suggests that species dispersal will be important for many species survival. Defra published guidance on how conservationist can help biodiversity adapt to climate change. Its guiding principles are:

• Conserve existing biodiversity
• Reduce sources of harm not linked to climate change
• Develop ecologically resilient and varied landscapes
• Establish ecological networks through habitat protection, restoration and
  creation
• Make sound decisions based on analysis
• Integrate adaptation and mitigation measures into conservation management,
  planning and practice