Climate Change

Biodiversity and Climate Change in the UK

A new publication, Biodiversity and Climate Change - a summary of impacts in the UK, from the Inter Agency Climate change forum which provides a summary of climate change impacts on biodiversity in the UK. Understanding the ongoing impacts of climate change on ecosystems is an essential prerequisite to addressing this challenge. This booklet collates recent evidence about the known interactions between climate change and biodiversity.

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Climate Change Impacts: Evidence from ECN sites

This new report from Environmental Change Network (pdf 9.41mb) highlights some of the findings from ECN monitoring and research which provide evidence of the sensitivity of natural ecosystems in the UK to variability and change in climate. These include assessments of population dynamics, responses to extreme events (drought), changes to the timing of lifecycle events (phenological changes) and biological responses affecting the carbon cycle.

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Climate change and biodiversity adaptation: the role of the spatial planning system (2009)

A report commissioned by Natural England that addresses

• i) the context for Natural England's engagement with climate change and
• ii) the opportunities for facilitating biodiversity adaptation through spatial planning and development control.

Climate Change and Biodiversity Adaptation: The Role of the Spatial Planning System (pdf 0.7mb)

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Responding to the impacts of climate change on the natural environment: Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase (Natural England 2008)

A summary report from Natural England about one of their 'Character Area Climate Change Projects'. The report contains information about the potential impacts of climate change on the natural environment in the Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase and identifies the local responses required to assist adaptation.

Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase executive summary (pdf 1mb)
Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase full report Dorset Downs and Cranbourne Chase full report (pdf 1.6mb)
The natural environment: adapting to climate change (pdf 2.8mb)

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Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate: guidance on buildling capacity to adapt

This guidance is aimed at those who plan and deliver conservation of terrestrial biodiversity. The principles described in this document summarise current thinking on how to reduce the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and how to adapt existing plans and projects in the light of climate change.

Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate. (PDF 1.5mb).

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Climate Change: Wildlife and Adaptation. 20 Tough Questions, 20 Rough Answers

This document published by the RSPB seeks to explore key questions in developing thinking around nature conservation adaptation to climate change. This is based on their current thinking as a 'rough guide' to help stimulate debate.

Climate Change: Wildlife and Adaptation. 20 Tough Questions, 20 Rough Answers (PDF 1.88mb)

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