Spatial planning of a climate adaptation zone for wetland ecosystems |
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Authors: | Claire C Vos Dirk C J van der Hoek Marijke Vonk |
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Institution: | (1) Alterra Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;(2) Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, PO Box 303, 3720 AH Bilthoven, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Here we present a spatial planning approach for the implementation of adaptation measures to climate change in conservation
planning for ecological networks. We analyse the wetland ecosystems of the Dutch National Ecological Network for locations
where the effectiveness of the network might be weakened because of climate change. We first identify potential dispersal
bottlenecks where connectivity might be insufficient to facilitate range expansions. We then identify habitat patches that
might have a too low carrying capacity for populations to cope with additional population fluctuations caused by weather extremes.
Finally, we describe the spatial planning steps that were followed to determine the best locations for adaptation measures.
An essential part of our adaptation strategy is to concentrate adaptation measures in a ‘climate adaptation zone’. Concentrating
adaptation measures is a cost-effective planning strategy, rendering the largest benefit per area unit. Measures are taken
where abiotic conditions are optimal and measures to enhance the spatial cohesion of the network are taken close to existing
areas, thus creating the highest possible connectivity with the lowest area demands. Another benefit of a climate adaptation
zone is that it provides a spatial protection zone where activities that will have a negative impact on ecosystem functioning
might be avoided or mitigated. The following adaptation measures are proposed within the climate adaptation zone: (1) link
habitat networks to enable species to disperse from present to future suitable climate zones, (2) enlarge the carrying capacity
by either enlarging the size of natural areas or by improving habitat quality to shorten population recovery after disturbances,
(3) increase the heterogeneity of natural areas, preferably by stimulating natural landscape-forming processes, to avoid large
synchronised extinctions after extreme weather events. The presented approach can be generalised to develop climate adaptation
zones for other ecosystem types inside or outside Europe, where habitat fragmentation is a limiting factor in biodiversity
responses to climate change. |
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