National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Terrestrial Biodiversity Consultation Draft

Abstract

Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities are driving changes in global climate. The magnitude of the recent physical changes is greater than at any time during human civilization and, importantly, the rate of change is faster. The IPCC (2007) has highlighted that biodiversity is likely to be the most vulnerable sector for the Australia and New Zealand region (as it is in general around the world), largely reflecting the very low adaptive capacity of natural ecosystems compared with other sectors. The threats to terrestrial biodiversity from climate changes arise from changes in the basic physical and chemical environment underpinning all life, especially CO2 concentrations, temperature, and precipitation. Species will be affected individualistically by these changes, leading to flow on effects to the structure and composition of present-day communities, and then potentially to changes in how ecosystems function and the services they provide. Changes in CO2 concentration, temperature and precipitation will have direct impacts on ecosystem processes such as net primary productivity, nutrient cycling, and decomposition. Species, communities and ecosystems will also be affected indirectly, as climatic changes affect important processes such as fire and disease. Some of these changes are already evident. Individuals, institutions and sectors of the community that will need to adapt include those who govern and manage terrestrial systems, those who have responsibilities for conserving terrestrial biodiversity and those who depend on terrestrial ecosystems for economic or social benefit. High quality, focused research is required to ensure these groups are well positioned to adapt to climate change, either in their own interests or on behalf of the Australian community. Whilst some work has been done aimed at understanding the broad impacts of climate change on the terrestrial environment, adaptation research is less well developed. This National Adaptation Research Plan (NARP) for Terrestrial Biodiversity identifies research required to assist managers of the terrestrial estate prepare for the consequences of climate change. It provides a framework to guide research funding decisions and key directions for the country’s terrestrial research community. In conjunction with research plans in other priority thematic areas, this Plan will guide researchers generating the information Australia needs to develop an effective portfolio of adaptive strategies. The priority questions identified in the Plan have been organised into four main sub themes that correspond to the main ecological scales of organization and also the main scales of management: national/continental scale, regional scale, local land management, and management of key species. A number of critical information needs and research gaps are identified under each sub-theme. All research issues identified and discussed in this Plan (set out in the table below) are considered to be high priority based on following five criteria.