Abstract
Climate change is an additional pressure on biodiversity in the highly fragmented landscapes of the
Netherlands. In response to increasing temperatures some species will need to migrate to find suitable
habitat. Other species, with limited possibilities to migrate, limited reproduction capacity and specific abiotic
and climatic needs, have low resilience to extreme weather. Prior to the recent awareness on climate
change, in 1990 the Dutch government designed a National Ecological Network, connecting existing nature
reserves and appointing areas where new nature reserves should be created or enlarged to counteract habitat
fragmentation. However, implementation of this network stalls because many land owners do not want to
sell their property.
In two regions with different a-biotic conditions (one region on dry sandy soils with a small scaled
landscape divided by ramparts and pieces of woodland and a region on wet peat soils with an open
landscape dominated by grasslands) we explored alternative possibilities to connect nature reserves for
species that are vulnerable to climate change. By using existing landscape elements like ditches and their
banks, hedgerows and field margins to form green blue veins, the fragments in the landscape become more
connected. Nature reserves connected by green blue veins and stepping stones in an agricultural
environment offer a more diverse habitat that is expected to resist extreme weather conditions better than
homogeneous landscapes. Focus group discussions provided feedback on practical implications, costs and
benefits of green blue veining options and willingness to implement them. The possible implications to
biodiversity and to the local society will form the basis for constructing strategies for adaptation in the
multifunctional landscapes targeted at biodiversity and development of rural areas.
Topic: Climate Change, Biodiversity and Adaptation
Presentation preference: Platform presentation
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Event | 10th International Congress of Ecology in a Changing Climate, Brisbane, Australia - Duration: 16 Aug 2009 → 21 Aug 2009 |
Conference/symposium
Conference/symposium | 10th International Congress of Ecology in a Changing Climate, Brisbane, Australia |
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Period | 16/08/09 → 21/08/09 |