We now know much about how climate change affects wildlife - species such as the Dartford warbler and the bee orchid are moving further north and recent storms have highlighted the vulnerability of coastal and wetland habitats. Yet - how should habitat management respond?
A hugely useful practical guide is now available. The RSPB and Natural England, in partnership with the Environment Agency’s Climate Ready support service and the Forestry Commission have published a new online handbook for those who manage nature habitats: the Climate change adaptation manual.
This new resource combines evidence and practical experience to help land managers and nature conservation managers to plan and take action to reduce the impacts of climate change, make the best of new climatic conditions and in some cases, make the most of new opportunities for species and habitats. It’s a ground-breaking step forward and timely too, in the wake of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability and last year’s climate change biodiversity report card for the UK .
Inside the Manual there is detailed, habitat-specific information for conservation managers to use, to prepare and respond to a changing climate. There are three sections, which provide:
“We’re already witnessing the impacts of climate change at RSPB nature reserves across the country – and we’re taking action to ensure we protect wildlife from these changes” says Martin Harper, Conservation Director at the RSPB. “If we are going to help threatened species adapt to a warmer climate then we need to act fast. We also need to work together and share knowledge and experience - I hope this manual will help us do just that. Science has given us a clear warning about the future and we have no excuse for not acting now.”
Andrew Wood, Executive Director at Natural England said: “Climate change has wide-ranging implications for habitats and species in Britain and for the way that the countryside is managed. The Manual gives conservation managers and advisors access to the best available science to enable their conservation work to be carried out with climate change adaptation in mind.”
The Manual builds on experience gained from climate change impact assessments and adaptation planning at National Nature Reserves and RSPB nature reserves, together with contributions from a range of partners including Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Wildlife Trusts and National Park Authorities. We hope this pooling of knowledge from a wide range of contributors will be reflected in wide use of the manual, by anyone and everyone with an interest in helping wildlife habitats adapt to climate change.
And it would be great to get your feedback – of the Manual, and about what changes you have seen that climate change is bringing to our wildlife habitats.