Putting it into Practice
Climate change is altering our countryside and coasts with changes to how we use the landscape. It is anticipated that as climate suitability for species changes some habitats will become increasingly vulnerable.
As well as trying to reduce further climate change (mitigation) we need to adapt to the impacts already being seen. Some habitats and species may become vulnerable under a changing climate, so BRANCH is engaging with planners and decision makers to ensure that adaptation policies and actions for wildlife are embedded in spatial planning.
BRANCH products will recommend ways to improve our spatial planning systems so that biodiversity can adapt to climate change.
Already on our website you can find a review of the effectiveness of spatial planning policies in protecting and enhancing biodiversity under a changing climate, including opportunities for action.
We are developing case studies to support decision making. In Kent (UK) and Provincie Limburg (NL) partners are exploring the climate change implications for existing habitat and planned areas for habitat creation. They are also examining the potential for species movement in the landscape, identifying spatial ‘bottlenecks' where species are not able to colonise new habitat and where their survival may be threatened. The final outputs will be the design of spatial solutions that mitigate effects of climate change for species and inform habitat planning in the best places for the long term.
The Kent Case Study
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Example of current habitat space for Anemone nemorosa (a common woodflower in Kent ) with a habitat mask i.e. areas of actual habitat. |
Climate space in 2080's modelled under high emission's scenario (with habitat mask) shows loss of space in northeast of the county |
Connectivity - the Gridwalk model
The Gridwalk model is being used to model connectivity of suitable areas of climate space under future scenarios. This work gives an indication of whether current areas will be "climate proof" in the future - in other words, if a species currently lives in a suitable area and that area subsequently becomes unsuitable due to changing climate, can the species move through the landscape to a new area of suitable climate space?
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| Gridwalk/Smallsteps model of suitable climate space and connectivity for middle spotted woodpecker. |
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Biodiversity Requires Adaptation in Northwest Europe under a CHanging climate is an INTERREG IIIB funded project, led by English Nature.
BRANCH brings together spatial planners, policy makers and scientists from Northwest Europe . Our partnership is producing practical guidance and tools based on a sound evidence base, to inform policy making.
To find out more about the project's transnational work areas and case studies visit www.branchproject.org and register to receive our newsletter.
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