Changing climate impacts biodiversity in protected areas globally
Research underscores importance of adopting climate-smart conservation strategies

Date:
April 30, 2022
Source:
USDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Research Station
Summary:
A recent study provides insights for developing climate-smart
conservation strategies by looking at the global network of
protected areas, evaluating potential for shifts in where plants
and animals occur due to climate change. Findings point to the
need for strategic conservation plans that transcend international
borders to protect at- risk species.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Protected areas -- such as nature reserves, national parks, and
wilderness areas -- are essential to conserving biodiversity. New
research published in Environmental Research Letters provides insights
for developing climate-smart conservation strategies. The study looked at
the global network of protected areas, evaluated potential for shifts in
where plants and animals occur due to climate change, and as a result identifies the need for strategic conservation plans that transcend international borders and protect at-risk species.


==========================================================================
"As the planet continues to warm, we expect a number of species to move
out of some protected areas and into others as they shift their ranges
in response to climate change," says lead-author Sean Parks, a research ecologist with the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station,
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute.

The researchers found that some species currently in protected areas
may have to cross international boundaries to find more suitable climate conditions. As they move, they may face physical barriers, such as border fences, and non- physical barriers, such as inconsistent conservation
policies in different areas and countries.

Climate conditions are expected to change in over a quarter of the
current land-based global network of protected areas under a scenario
of 2DEGC warming.

The study found that more than a third of protected lands could gain
new climates. Understanding these shifts away from known to new climate conditions within protected areas helps the international conservation community forecast planning needs and make more strategic investment
decisions for limited conservation funding.

"The Rocky Mountain Research Station is committed to addressing the
threat of climate change, by providing research needed to support new strategies for stewarding protected areas and other wildlands within
the United States and internationally," says Jason Taylor, Director of
the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by USDA_Forest_Service_-_Rocky_Mountain_Research_Station.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Sean A Parks, Lisa M Holsinger, Caitlin E Littlefield, Solomon Z
Dobrowski, Katherine A Zeller, John T Abatzoglou, Charles Besancon,
Bryce L Nordgren, Joshua J Lawler. Efficacy of the global protected
area network is threatened by disappearing climates and potential
transboundary range shifts. Environmental Research Letters, 2022;
17 (5): 054016 DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac6436 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220430113706.htm

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