Climate change adaptation and biological diversity. FINADAPT Working Paper 3

This report examines possible climate change adaptation measures concerning biodiversity and nature conservation in Finland. The study is based on a literature survey and an expert questionnaire. It also draws on feedback from an international expert seminar arranged on 9 May, 2005. Recent climate change has already produced numerous impacts on biodiversity. The examples observed in Finland include advanced spring arrival and breeding of birds, immigration of new species, expanding northern range limits of butterflies and moths and increasing multivoltinism of moths. Increasing impacts on biota, including disintegration of the current communities and reconstruction of new assemblages of species, can be expected in the future. Marked changes are projected in forest composition and in wetland species diversity. Finland's National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (FNSACC) proposed several measures that could help the adaptation of natural biota to climate change, such as monitoring and development of a protected areas (PAs) network, restoration of habitats, conservation and management of habitats important for biodiversity and eradication of alien invasive species. Goals and methods of PA management may need to be revised in the future. Most measures suggested in FNSACC are beneficial for biodiversity, but our understanding on their effectiveness is still insufficient. Knowledge gaps concerning impact and adaptation research include regional modelling of relationships between climate change and biodiversity, assessment of PAs for the likely effect of climate change, and identification of species and habitats at risk of being significantly affected by climate change