Interactive Sessions

Interactive Sessions 26 June 2013

Demonstrating good practice in adapting to climate change in conservation

The interactive sessions will address eight specific themes. Six of the sessions will focus on the impacts of climate change on particular ecosystems and the adaptation measures for these, while two sessions session will address the cross-cutting issues of connecting with people and adaptation planning.

Sessions will be structured with brief introductory talks (12 min.) to set the scene followed by an interactive discussion to address challenges and inform recommendations for climate adapted nature conservation in European ecosystems.

Morning Sessions 10.30-12.30

1. Mountain and subarctic ecosystems – challenges to adapt to climate change
How has science informed policy and practice in mountain conservation and adaptation to climate and vice versa? How can we deal with shrinking climate space and fragmentation?
chair: Christian Körner, Universität Basel, Switzerland

2. River, lakes and riparian ecosystems – vulnerability, impacts and adaptation measures to climate change
What are the impacts of climate change on aquatic systems and how can they be addressed through adaptation measures to strengthen the resilience of natural systems? Can the Water Framework Directive be a driver for nature conservation? How can adaptation measures foster the delivery of ecosystem services such as flood protection and clean drinking water provision?
chair: Gordana Beltram, Director at Park Skocjanske jame, Slovenia

3. Grassland & urban ecosystems – adaptation to climate change
How can agri-environment schemes, the greening of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other funding mechanisms make a difference to conservation in a changing climate? What is the role of protected areas and conservation in grasslands? How do climate adaptation measures from other sectors, such as biomass-based energy production, threaten biodiversity in grasslands?

What is the importance of conservation of urban ecosystems for biodiversity and ecosystem services in a changing climate? How can engagement in urban green space conservation enhance understanding and valuing of biodiversity?
chair: Franz Essl, Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, Austria

4. Coastal & marine ecosystems – how to deal with rising sea temperature, sea level and acidification?
What are the challenges to conservation in coastal and marine ecosystems under climate change and how can they be addressed? How can we facilitate cross border collaboration?
chair: Maria Laamanen, Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), Finland

Afternoon Sessions 14.30-16.30

5. Forests & woodland ecosystems – What is the role of habitat networks and green infrastructure as an adaptation measure?
How can conservation practice foster resilience to climate threats as well as promote ecosystem services and a sustainable rural economy? How to deal with fire, pests, and biofuel demands in a changing climate?
chair: Marina von Weissenberg, Ministry of Environment, Finland

6. Peatland ecosystems – Conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services to mitigate and adapt to climate change
How can restoration and conservation achieve enhancement of both biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as promote a sustainable rural economy? How can we value peatland restoration as a contribution to climate mitigation and adaptation, and how can new funding avenues be developed?
chair: Rob Stoneman, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, UK

7. Connecting with people – why biodiversity conservation makes sense in a changing climate
Despite its importance to society, the public understanding of the role of biodiversity for climate adaptation and mitigation is often non-existent. How can we develop a more positive public perception of biodiversity, ecosystems and natural capital, to increase recognition of their special value for climate response measures and ultimately achieve a greater level of investment in conservation?
chair: Klemens Riha, Programme „Implementing the Biodiversity Convention“; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany

8. Adaptation Planning – How can we plan for change?
Principles for climate adaptation have been developed for conservation managers, but how can they be put into action? This session will explore available decision tools are available and frameworks for priority setting.
chair: tbc