🐼Conservation Biology Unit 11 – Climate Change and Conservation

Key Climate Change Concepts

• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere leading to global warming (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor)
• Anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of climate change through fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes
• Climate change manifests as rising global temperatures, sea level rise, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events
• Positive feedback loops amplify the effects of climate change (melting permafrost releases methane, further warming the atmosphere)
• Tipping points represent thresholds beyond which abrupt and irreversible changes occur in the climate system (collapse of ice sheets, disruption of ocean circulation patterns)
• Climate models project future scenarios based on different greenhouse gas emission pathways and help inform mitigation and adaptation strategies
  • Models incorporate complex interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and biosphere
  • Uncertainty in climate projections arises from natural variability, incomplete understanding of climate processes, and future human activities
• The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C

Impacts on Ecosystems

• Climate change alters the distribution, composition, and functioning of ecosystems
• Rising temperatures cause shifts in species' geographic ranges towards higher latitudes and elevations
• Changes in precipitation patterns affect water availability and ecosystem productivity (droughts, floods)
• Ocean acidification due to increased absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide threatens marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs
• Phenological mismatches occur when the timing of species' life cycles becomes out of sync with seasonal environmental cues (earlier spring flowering, altered migration patterns)
• Invasive species may expand their ranges and outcompete native species under changing climatic conditions
• Ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and nutrient cycling, are disrupted by climate change
  • Forests' ability to absorb and store carbon is compromised by increased frequency and severity of wildfires and pest outbreaks

Vulnerable Species and Habitats

• Species with narrow environmental tolerances, limited dispersal abilities, and specialized habitat requirements are particularly vulnerable to climate change
• Polar species, such as polar bears and Arctic foxes, face habitat loss due to retreating sea ice and altered prey availability
• Montane species are forced to move to higher elevations as temperatures warm, leading to shrinking habitat and potential local extinctions
• Coral reefs are highly sensitive to rising ocean temperatures and acidification, resulting in bleaching events and reduced calcification rates
• Migratory species face challenges as their breeding and wintering grounds become misaligned with changing environmental conditions
• Coastal habitats, including mangroves and salt marshes, are threatened by sea level rise and increased storm surge intensity
• Freshwater ecosystems are impacted by altered hydrological regimes, leading to changes in water quality, quantity, and species composition
  • Coldwater fish species, such as salmon and trout, are particularly vulnerable to warming water temperatures

Conservation Strategies

• Establishing protected areas and corridors to facilitate species' range shifts and maintain habitat connectivity
• Implementing ecosystem-based adaptation approaches that enhance the resilience of natural systems to climate change impacts
  • Restoring degraded habitats, such as wetlands and forests, to improve their capacity to buffer against climate extremes
  • Managing invasive species and promoting native species diversity to enhance ecosystem stability
• Assisted migration involves intentionally moving species to suitable habitats beyond their current range to prevent local extinctions
• Ex-situ conservation techniques, such as seed banks and captive breeding programs, preserve genetic diversity and provide a safety net for threatened species
• Integrating climate change considerations into species recovery plans and conservation management practices
• Promoting nature-based solutions that deliver both climate mitigation and adaptation benefits (coastal protection through mangrove restoration)
• Engaging local communities and indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts to ensure socially and culturally appropriate strategies

Mitigation and Adaptation Techniques

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable land-use practices
• Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes, to incentivize emission reductions
• Enhancing natural carbon sinks through reforestation, afforestation, and soil carbon sequestration
  • Protecting and restoring peatlands, which store large amounts of carbon in their waterlogged soils
  • Promoting agroforestry practices that integrate trees into agricultural landscapes
• Developing climate-smart agriculture techniques that improve crop resilience, reduce emissions, and enhance food security (drought-resistant crop varieties, precision irrigation)
• Implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in urban areas to mitigate heat island effects and manage stormwater (green roofs, urban forests)
• Improving water management practices, such as water conservation, efficiency, and recycling, to adapt to changing precipitation patterns
• Strengthening early warning systems and disaster risk reduction strategies to minimize the impacts of extreme weather events on communities and ecosystems

Policy and Legislation

• International agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, provide a global framework for climate action
• National and subnational climate policies set targets and strategies for emission reductions and adaptation measures
  • Renewable energy mandates and incentives to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources
  • Energy efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and vehicles to reduce energy consumption
• Integrating climate change considerations into land-use planning, environmental impact assessments, and development policies
• Establishing carbon pricing mechanisms and market-based instruments to create economic incentives for emission reductions
• Providing financial and technical support to developing countries for climate change mitigation and adaptation through international mechanisms (Green Climate Fund)
• Strengthening climate change education, public awareness, and stakeholder engagement to build social and political support for climate action
• Mainstreaming climate change into sectoral policies, such as agriculture, forestry, and water management, to ensure coherent and integrated approaches

Challenges and Future Outlook

• Overcoming political barriers and vested interests that hinder ambitious climate action
• Addressing the unequal distribution of climate change impacts and ensuring equitable adaptation and mitigation efforts
• Managing trade-offs between short-term economic interests and long-term environmental sustainability
• Dealing with the inherent uncertainties in climate projections and the need for robust decision-making under uncertainty
• Scaling up climate finance and investments to meet the growing adaptation and mitigation needs, particularly in developing countries
• Fostering international cooperation and coordination to address the global nature of climate change and its transboundary impacts
• Developing and deploying negative emission technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, to achieve net-zero emissions
  • Addressing the technical, economic, and social challenges associated with large-scale deployment of negative emission technologies
• Promoting behavioral changes and sustainable consumption patterns to reduce individual carbon footprints and support climate-friendly lifestyles

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy aims to enhance the resilience of the reef ecosystem through targeted conservation measures and stakeholder engagement
• The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) seeks to maintain landscape connectivity and facilitate species' range shifts across the Rocky Mountains in response to climate change
• The Sahel and West Africa Program (SAWAP) supports sustainable land management practices and ecosystem restoration to combat desertification and improve climate resilience in the region
• The Maldives' Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan addresses sea level rise and coastal erosion through a combination of hard and soft adaptation measures, such as sea walls and beach nourishment
• The Green Belt Movement in Kenya promotes reforestation and sustainable livelihoods to mitigate climate change and improve community resilience
• The Netherlands' Room for the River program creates space for floodwater by restoring floodplains and relocating dykes, demonstrating nature-based solutions for flood risk management
• The California Climate Investments program allocates cap-and-trade revenue to support emission reduction projects, clean transportation, and sustainable communities
• The Mekong Delta Plan in Vietnam integrates climate change adaptation into regional planning, focusing on water management, agricultural adaptation, and coastal protection