Kent BRANCH Case Study – Biodiversity adaptation to climate change
Kent County Council recently undertook a case study as part of the BRANCH project. The main objective of this study was to develop a planning method to enable stakeholders to design a climate change proof ecosystem network.
The BRANCH project (Biodiversity Requires Adaptation in Northwest Europe under a CHanging climate) has focused on promoting the importance of helping biodiversity in coastal and terrestrial areas to adapt to climate change by using spatial planning systems. Nine partners form France, The Netherlands and England, led by Natural England, have collaborated on the trans-national aims of the project through various work packages and case studies.
The Kent case study assessed the existing connectivity of terrestrial habitats through scientific modelling. The modelling was initially completed at a European Scale within the project and local modelling was carried out for the case study areas. The local modelling identified areas where action is needed to re-connect habitats and restrict any further fragmentation, in order to allow biodiversity to adapt to climate change.
A method for working with stakeholders to design ecological networks for the future was developed. A group of species, chosen with stakeholders to represent different characteristic habitats in Kent, were assessed for their response to climate change and the connectivity of their habitat. Opportunities for the improvement or creation of habitat networks for these indicator species were then identified and designs for ecological networks were suggested.
The key findings of the case study:
• Kent’s habitats are not sufficiently connected at present to allow some species to adapt to climate change and that ecological networks will play a key part in helping wildlife to adapt.
• These networks will only be fully effective when accommodated in the planning process and when planners and local stakeholders collaborate on their design.
• Stakeholder involvement will be vital to the ongoing design, success and implementation of the Kent ecological network.
• Different species will respond to climate change in different ways and will require specific strategies to adapt.
The BRANCH project has been a valuable opportunity for Kent County Council to engage with Kent stakeholders. It has highlighted the importance of stakeholder input when devising spatial planning decisions. It has also stimulated debate in Kent on issues such as climate change and ecological networks.
The case study has emphasised the need for further action on reconnecting Kent’s habitats. The next steps to be taken:
• Continue involvement with a wide variety of Kent stakeholders to develop a climate proof ecological network for Kent.
• Influence the production of policies that allow biodiversity adaptation to climate change and the creation of ecological networks
• Work across borders with other organisations, counties and regions to connect the Kent ecological network with other county or regional networks.
• Monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife.
Please see the BRANCH Project website and reports for more information http://www.branchproject.org
Contact Email:
Organisation:
Kent County Council
Status:
Completed – Interreg funding finished September 2007
Website relating to case study:
Organisation’s website:
Keywords relating to this case study:
BRANCH, Kent, habitats, ecological networks , adaptation, Interreg, European
South East groups case study relates to:
Biodiversity
