Description: Dutch nature policy has to consider climate change and its consequences for plants and animals. It is a challenge to strengthen the Dutch Ecological Network and the Natura 2000 sites, so to cope with climate change as well as to take climate change into planning, setting objectives and selecting measures. It is still unknown if the current nature targets can be reached under climate change and if we are able to take the correct adaptive measures. Though national and international obligations make this necessary. This knowledge gap puts pressure on nature policies, as it is a question whether nature targets will be sustainable, payable and legitimate. Research is needed to quantify the climate sensibility/vulnerability of species, species groups and habitat types, to obtain understanding of the relevant ecological processes and to get hold on the width of the climate change problems. The results should indicate those adaptive or mitigation measures that neutralize or reduce the climate change effects; measures that can be taken now.
Research objectives: The objective of this study is to present an overview of the effects at regional-local scale of climate change on the nature targets Dutch Ecological Network, Natura 2000, Index NL, WFD with respect to Sense of Urgency areas. Feasibility of targets and potential adaptive measures taken by national, regional or local authorities or local water and natural area managers will be focused on. The study will show the extend of the climate change effects on nature targets, including a geographical positioning, as well as the potential policy adaptations to it and adaptive measures that can be taken.
Results and products: In five steps the nature targets climate change issues are shown:
1. Processes of climate change: all relevant climate processes and scenarios will be described. 2. Consequences for nature(types): all nature targets will be defined, related processes described and relevant stressors and related processes sorted out and, if possible geographically mapped. 3. Geographical sensitivity: this shows the geographical position of nature targets that become under pressure and the stressors/changes responsible. 4. New species: this part describes the role and effect of new species that colonize natural areas and its effects on current species and communities. 5. Adaptive measures: identification of measures to prevent or decrease negative impacts of climate change.
The five steps will be studied in two phases and results in:
Phase 1:
- Report: Overview of climate change and consequences for nature targets. - Report: New species and their effects on current ecosystems (including potential measures).
Phase 2:
- Report: Knowledge overview of processes, problems and adaptive measures. - Symposium: Presentation of all results. |