Climate change impacts on biodiversity in grassland and heathland ecosystems Causal analysis and development of sustainable adaptation strategies [Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die Biodiversität von Grasland- und Heideökosystemen Kausalanalyse und Entwicklung nachhaltiger Anpassungsstrategien]

Abstract

The following review highlights the effects of climate change on grassland and heathland and summarises adaptation strategies for the conservation of biodiversity within these habitats. The results were gained by a research project set out to develop a management concept for species conservation adapted to climate change in Germany. The concept was based on the findings of several former research projects dealing with the effects of climate change on biodiversity. Due to rising temperatures and increased summer drought, wet and montane grassland and heathland habitats are especially vulnerable to climate change and many cold-adapted species are classified as highly threatened by climate change. Besides the direct effects of climate change, indirect effects caused by adaptation activities such as the increased use of renewable energies influence biodiversity within open habitats. For species conservation, measures promoting the adaptation of species to changing environmental conditions are essential. Amongst others, these include the improvement of habitat quality and heterogeneity. © 2018 W. Kohlhammer GmbH. All rights reserved.