Join the British Ecological Society for this event. Protected areas (PAs) have long been the cornerstone of conservation. However, some authors question their utility in a world where species distributions are changing in response to climate change. New species of conservation concern may move into reserves, meaning PAs will remain valuable but for different reasons.
This therefore raises the question of whether the current system of designation is fit for purpose. Can a new system be designed to allow for species movement and community change? Could this allow protected areas to remain effective in a changing world, balancing the increased demand for Nature Based Solutions and considering management options to aid adaptation to climate change?
Programme
Each day will have a morning (08:00-11:00 GMT, suiting Asian and Australasian participants) and afternoon session (15:00-18:00 GMT, suiting American participants).
Day one
We will review the science, exploring how PAs are impacted by climate change, their effectiveness in conservation under climate change and importance in delivering Nature Based Solutions to climate change. Invited speakers will set the scene, followed by five-minute lightning talks from participants, with short discussions to summarise overall findings.
Day two
We will explore whether current PA systems are fit for purpose, in terms of designation, management and how they are adapting to climate change. We will hear from invited experts from government agencies and NGOs, followed with more lightning talks, and a structured discussion on the fitness for purpose of these methods.
Day three
Participants will collaboratively design a better way of adapting protected area systems for climate change, covering designation and management.
Confirmed invited speakers
So far, our speakers include:
- Jeff Price – Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
- Ainhize Butron – European Nature Conservation Agency
- Risto Heikkinen – Finnish Environment Institute
- Stephanie Manel – University of Montpellier
- Nicholas Macgregor – Parks Australia
- Raimo Virkkala – Finnish Environment Institute