Discussion and recommendations on the future of protected areas in England under climate change.
Abstract
This report discusses the impacts of climate change on the UK's species and evaluates the current designation and monitoring framework for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in supporting adaptation to climate change. First, the report establishes the merits of developing an 'ecologically connected' network (ECN) of protected sites through a critical review of the primary observed and anticipated impacts of climate change on biodiversity. These impacts include shifts in habitat location, quantity, and quality. Second, the report explores whether England's SSSI network functions as a coherent ecological network or primarily serves as a portfolio of sites. Third, it examines how a coherent SSSI network might be managed and evaluates the proposal to shift from promoting the persistence/abundance of designated site features to embracing dynamism. The report considers the typical scales at which turnover operates and the potential implications of dynamic approaches for conservation legislation. Finally, the report proposes management strategies for the Protected Area (PA) network to enhance its effectiveness under the challenges posed by climate change.