ACT Biodiversity Adaptation Pathways Project - … · ACT Biodiversity Adaptation Pathways Project...

ACT Biodiversity Adaptation

Pathways Project - summary

and next steps

2016

Acknowledgements

This report was developed by the ACT Government, drawing on the draft ACT Biodiversity Adaptation Pathways

Project Workshop Report received from Mark Siebentritt, Seed Consulting, and includes additional analysis

undertaken by NRM Planning for the ACT Government Environment Division.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this report is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be

reliable and accurate. The authors accept no legal liability for the accuracy of field data, analytical results or

mapping data provided as part of this report or for any associated loss in productivity, land value or such like

through third part use of this data. The authors accept no legal liability for failure of the client to obtain any

necessary government or other agency permits or approvals with respect to management of the said land.

The material and opinions in this report may include the views or recommendations of third parties, which may

not necessarily reflect the views of the authors, or indicate the author’s recommendation regarding a particular

course of action. The authors do not provide advice of an investment or commercial valuation nature. The

authors do not accept any liability for investment decisions made on the basis of information provided in this

report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Executive summary ................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 4

2 Context .................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Policy context .............................................................................................................................. 5

3 Key concepts .......................................................................................................... 6 3.1 BAP Project overview .................................................................................................................. 6

3.1.1 Values- rules-knowledge framework ...................................................................................................... 6 3.1.2 Scenario planning in the BAP Project .................................................................................................... 7 3.1.3 AdaptNRM goals and actions for biodiversity adaptation....................................................................... 8 3.1.4 Identifying appropriate adaptation measures in the BAP Project ......................................................... 11 3.1.5 Adaptation pathways in the BAP Project ............................................................................................. 11

4 BAP project key findings ..................................................................................... 12 4.1 General findings ........................................................................................................................ 12 4.2 Grasslands ................................................................................................................................ 12

4.2.1 Values attributed to grasslands ........................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2 Grassland adaptation options .............................................................................................................. 12 4.2.3 Grassland adaptation pathways .......................................................................................................... 12 4.2.4 Priorities for climate ready grasslands ................................................................................................. 13

4.3 Woodlands ................................................................................................................................ 17 4.3.1 Values attributed to woodlands ............................................................................................................ 17 4.3.2 Woodland adaptation options .............................................................................................................. 17 4.3.3 Woodland adaptation pathways ........................................................................................................... 17 4.3.4 Priorities for climate ready woodlands ................................................................................................. 17

4.4 River corridors and wetlands ..................................................................................................... 21 4.4.1 Values attributed to river corridors and wetlands ................................................................................. 21 4.4.2 River corridors and wetland adaptation options ................................................................................... 21 4.4.3 River corridors and wetland adaptation pathways ............................................................................... 21 4.4.4 Priorities for climate ready river corridors and wetlands ...................................................................... 21

4.5 Knowledge management .......................................................................................................... 25 4.5.1 Data, information and knowledge ........................................................................................................ 25 4.5.2 Technological innovation and governance arrangements.................................................................... 25 4.5.3 Potential actions in support of knowledge management ...................................................................... 25

4.6 Potential barriers/challenges affecting climate adaptation ........................................................ 26 4.6.1 Values- rules- knowledge barriers and challenges .............................................................................. 26 4.6.2 Values .................................................................................................................................................. 26 4.6.3 Rules ................................................................................................................................................... 26 4.6.4 Knowledge ........................................................................................................................................... 26 4.6.5 Knowledge management ..................................................................................................................... 27

5 Next steps ............................................................................................................. 28 5.1 Climate appropriate biodiversity adaptation .............................................................................. 28 5.2 Changing values underpinning biodiversity conservation ......................................................... 28 5.3 Biodiversity conservation into the future ................................................................................... 28 5.4 Priority work to support climate adaptation ............................................................................... 30

5.4.1 Climate ready objectives ...................................................................................................................... 30 5.4.2 Climate refugia .................................................................................................................................... 30 5.4.3 Monitoring for biodiversity climate adaptation ...................................................................................... 31 5.4.4 Managing data and information to improve decision-making and collaboration ................................... 31

6 References ............................................................................................................ 32

1 Executive summary

1.1 Overview

The Biodiversity Adaptation Pathways Project (BAP Project) provided an opportunity to

engage in a conversation around managing now for an uncertain future. It engaged around

60 participants through two consecutive workshops (with most attending both workshops) to

consider climate adaptation options for three ecosystems – grasslands, woodlands, and river

corridors and wetlands.

The BAP project introduced participants to a number of climate adaptation tools and

frameworks, such as

values-rules–knowledge framework

scenario planning

AdaptNRM strategic goals and actions for biodiversity adaptation

UK Climate Impacts Programme identifying adaptation options guide (no-regrets, low regrets, win-win and flexible options) and

adaptation pathways.

Using these tools, BAP workshop participants:

Identified a range of reasons why nature is currently valued by society, including for biodiversity, ecosystem services, aesthetics, recreational opportunity, and a sense of belonging (while recognising that these values may change over time)

discussed possible management options and generated a list of options to support biodiversity adaptation for the three ecosystems

assessed whether listed options were business as usual, novel and/or preferred for each of the climate scenarios and

considered timeframes for implementation of preferred management options and plotted these options as adaptation pathways for each ecosystem.

In addition, the BAP Project gave participants the opportunity to consider the critical role of

knowledge management in supporting evidence-based decision making and regional

collaboration by ensuring timely access to the best available information. This process

enabled BAP Project participants to propose priority actions to strengthen knowledge

management in the ACT and Region.

Following the BAP Project, consideration was given to future challenges and confronting

questions that remain unanswered, such as:

for what values and where should the ACT and Region manage biodiversity in the future? and

how do we identify thresholds and triggers to know when to change course?

In responding to these questions, the following four areas of priority work were identified:

strengthening climate ready objectives of policies, strategies and plans in order to support the implementation of adaptive management principles

identifying climate refugia for key species

monitoring for biodiversity climate adaptation and

managing data and information to strengthen decision-making and collaboration.

2 Context

2.1 Background

This document represents a synthesis of the findings of the ACT Biodiversity Adaptation

Pathways Project (BAP Project) (2015-16), and follow up analysis on climate adaptation

options for biodiversity conservation and management in the ACT and Region.

The BAP Project considered the implications of future climate scenarios, and other drivers of

long term change, on grasslands, woodlands, river corridors and wetlands. It also explored

opportunities and challenges around knowledge management as a cross-cutting theme.

The BAP workshops were organised by ACT NRM, which is the ACT’s natural resource

management regional body under the Australian Government’s national regional delivery

model.

2.2 Policy context

In the ACT, the integration of climate change considerations in biodiversity and natural

resource management has been formally mainstreamed through the ACT’s legislation and

policies, notably:

ACT Nature Conservation Act 2014 which requires updates of conservation strategies and statutory action plans in the ACT to explicitly consider the implications of climate change

ACT Nature Conservation Strategy 2013-23 (NC Strategy) which highlights climate change as a challenge likely to considerably magnify the effects of existing pressures in coming decades. The NC Strategy also directly specifies the following climate adaptation outcome and target:

o Outcome 2 - Landscapes are more resilient, including to climate change.

o Target 4 - Impacts from threatening processes, and climate change refugia in the ACT, are better understood and appropriately managed.

ACT Climate Change Adaptation Strategy – Living with a warming climate which identifies the following commitments:

o Action 20 - Biodiversity conservation at a landscape scale a) Enhance resilience and adaptive capacity of our ecosystems b) Identify, protect and manage potential climate refugia across the region.

o Action 21 - Safeguard species c) Facilitate and undertake targeted interventions to safeguard species

under climate change

o Action 22 - Care for land and water resources a) Improve land managers’ knowledge and understanding of climate impacts

and adaptation actions b) Contribute towards landscape resilience under climate change through

coordinated pest animal and plant control and c) Monitoring of climate impacts on ecosystems in our bioregion.

3 Key concepts

3.1 BAP Project overview

The BAP Project considered the implications of climate change for grasslands, woodlands,

and river and wetlands in the ACT and Region. It also recognised knowledge management

for its critical role in facilitating evidence based decision making and regional collaboration,

and considered it as a cross-cutting theme.

The BAP Project integrated a range of tools and frameworks notably:

i) Values-rules-knowledge (vrk) framework – to evaluate the plausibility of adaptation options within current and potential social, institutional and knowledge boundaries (refer 2.2.1)

ii) Scenario planning - to explore contrasting, plausible climate futures for the region (refer 2.2.2)

iii) AdaptNRM goals and actions for biodiversity adaptation - to help assess viable conservation and management options under the four scenarios (refer 2.2.3).

iv) Adaptation pathways - to investigate flexible and appropriate responses for adapting to future change under four plausible future scenarios (refer 2.2.4)

v) UK Climate Impacts Programme identifying adaptation options guide – to distinguish between options that are (i) no-regrets (i.e. options that deliver net socio-economic benefits irrespective of the extent of climate change); (ii) low regrets (i.e. low cost/high benefit), (iii) win-win (i.e. minimise climate risks or exploit opportunities, and have other social, environmental or economic benefits); and (iv) flexible (i.e. introducing adaptation measures incrementally as opposed to adopting large-scale adaptation) (refer 2.2.4).

The BAP Project was delivered through two participatory workshops attended by ACT and

Region representatives from government, not-for-profit organisations, research

organisations, conservation groups, community groups and volunteers.

While the BAP Project participant responses are not considered to be conclusive, they

provide an important contribution to strengthening the ACT’s approach to climate adaptation.

In addition, responses ranged from high-level broad suggestions, to on-ground specific

actions, and were, therefore, not always readily comparable.

3.1.1 Values- rules-knowledge framework

Delivering adaptation actions requires consideration of purpose and social, economic,

technological and environmental feasibility. Participants were introduced to the values-rules-

knowledge (vrk) framework (Gorddard et al. 2015) which highlights that climate adaptation

options that have values, rules and knowledge aligned are easy to implement. Where this

alignment does not occur, barriers to implementation are likely to exist, and will need to be

addressed before actions can be implemented. (refer Figure1).

Figure 1. Values-rules-knowledge framework (Gorddard et al. 2015)

‘values’ capture behaviour change

barriers (e.g. institutional cultures,

conflicting values between interest

groups or generations, etc)

‘rules’ capture policy barriers (e.g.

jurisdictional constraints, conflicting

policy goals between government

agencies, etc)

‘knowledge’ captures research gaps

(e.g. uncertainties about the efficacy

of management interventions,

potential climate impacts and/or

species-level responses).

3.1.2 Scenario planning in the BAP Project

Scenario planning was used to illustrate plausible alternative climate futures that the ACT

and Region is likely to face, and to challenge current assumptions about how best to

manage biodiversity under these scenarios. In developing the scenarios for the BAP

workshops, other social and economic drivers of change were also included as these drivers

define the range of biodiversity climate adaptation options that would be considered socially

acceptable and economically feasible under any given scenario.

In Workshop 1, participants considered how four long-term drivers of change, namely

climate change (impact), economic growth and urbanisation, extent of resourcing, and extent

of collaboration (responses), combine as four plausible, contrasting future scenarios (Table

1a).

Table 1a. Workshop 1 scenario framework for developing future scenarios (2065)

Today

(2015)

High Climate

Impact, High

Response

High Climate

Impact, Low

Response

Moderate

Climate Impact,

Low Response

Moderate

Climate Impact,

Mixed Response

Un

ce

rtain

tie

s

Climate

Change#

Moderate High High Moderate Moderate

Growth and

Urbanisation Moderate High High Low Low

Resourcing Moderate High Low Low Low

Collaboration Moderate High Low Low High

# Refer Table 2 which describes the climate change profiles used in this table.

In Workshop 2, the scenarios were simplified to more easily identify adaptation options

through the pathways process. Climate change was retained as a key driver. However,

growth (urbanisation), resourcing and collaboration were aggregated into ’social values

toward biodiversity’ (Table 1b). The rationale behind this aggregation was that these drivers

were identified as being indirect consequences of social values towards biodiversity.

Table 1b. Workshop 2 scenario framework for developing future scenarios (2065)

Today

(2015) Scenario A Scenario B Scenario C Scenario D

Un

ce

rta

inti

es Climate

Change# Moderate High High Moderate Moderate

Social Values

Toward

Biodiversity

Moderate High* Low** Low** High*

# Refer Table 2 which describes the climate change profiles

* Social values ‘high’ implies that society values nature for its own sake

** Social values ‘low’ implies that society only values nature for the services it provides to people.

Table 2 describes the distinctions between moderate and high climate change impacts used in the BAP workshop scenarios.

3.1.3 AdaptNRM goals and actions for biodiversity adaptation

The AdaptNRM Helping Biodiversity Adapt guide (Prober et al. 2015) was used in the BAP Project to stimulate discussion on options for biodiversity adaptation.

AdaptNRM’s nationally recognised strategic goals and actions (refer Table 3), were used by

BAP workshop participants to categorise the management actions they identified. As

AdaptNRM’s focus was on on-ground actions predominantly, where participants identified

other actions, such as actions to build institutional capacity, these actions were classified as

“novel” for the purposes of the BAP Project exercise. These “novel” actions complement the

AdaptNRM actions, and relate to governance, strategic planning, prioritisation,

communications and/or engagement type issues, and institutional arrangements. BAP

workshop participant responses are documented in Section 4 (refer tables 5, 7 and 9 on

consolidated management options).

http://adaptnrm.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/AdaptNRM_M4_BiodiversityAdaption_screen.pdf

Table 2. Projected impacts of climate change for the ACT and Region. Information sources are noted as footnotes at the base of the table

Impact of climate change – High

2030

Canberra climate resembles Adelaide, Bendigo and Bathurst today 4

Increasing temperatures (across all indices) 1,2

Summer daily highs up 1.7°C, plus 3 more days > 35°C 2

Reduction (>30%) in cold nights (below 2°C) per annum 2

Shifts in seasonal moisture availability 1,2

Drier springs (-18%); drier autumn (-12%) 2

Increase in severe fire weather during spring (~25%) and summer (~100%)

2

Longer fire seasons and shorter HR burn windows 3

Frequency of extreme drought triple 1st half of 20

th century (~3 droughts

/ 20 years) 1

2070

Canberra climate resembles Condobolin, Forbes and Jurien today 4


Summer daily highs up 3°C, plus 6 more days > 35°C 2



Drier springs (-19%); drier autumn (-9%) 2

Increase in severe fire weather during spring (~80%) and summer (~90%)

2

Doubling of fire frequency and 20% increase in fire intensity 3

Frequency of extreme drought triple 1st half of 20

th century (~3 droughts

/ 20 years) 1

Impact of climate change – Moderate

2030

Canberra climate resembles Albany, Melbourne, Bendigo and Merimbula today

4


Summer daily highs up 0.5°C, plus < 1 more day > 35°C 2

Reduction (~10%) in cold nights (below 2°C) per annum 2


Drier springs (-4%); wetter autumn (+48%) 2

Reductions in severe fire weather in spring (~5%) and summer (~50%) 2

Frequency of extreme drought similar to 1st half of 20

th century (~1

drought / 20 years) 1

2070

Canberra climate resembles Perth, Toowoomba and Parkes today 4


Summer daily highs up 1.8°C, plus 3 more days > 35°C 2


Minor reduction in severe fire weather in spring (<5%) and summer (~5%)

2


Drier springs (-6%); wetter autumn (-54%) 2

Frequency of extreme drought similar to 1st half of 20

th century (~1

drought / 20 years) 1

1 www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au

2 www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au

3 www.climatecouncil.org.au/be-prepared-climate-change-the-act-bushfire-threat

4 www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/climate-projections/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/

http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/

http://www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/be-prepared-climate-change-the-act-bushfire-threat

http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/climate-projections/climate-analogues/analogues-explorer/

Table 3. Summary of biodiversity options for ”Practical Implementation” from the AdaptNRM Toolbox for helping biodiversity adapt to climate change.

Category Strategic goals Actions **

No

-re

gre

ts o

pti

on

s

Help nature take its course

(Facilitate resilience and

adaptability)

1a. Maintain large populations

1b. Promote species-level genetic diversity in

plantings

1c. Manage and restore connectivity to

support migration and range shifts

1d. Minimise human-induced non-climatic

stressors

1e. Monitor and accept change

Manage change in key

ecosystem services

2. Identify and manage ecosystem services

* Promote re–assembly with

native species (A)

3a. Manage nationally alien species

3b. Continue to include ‘local species’ in

plantings, as some might survive

3c. Introduce non-local native species using

the proximity principle

Identify, manage, and

protect refugia

4. Identify, manage, and protect refugia

Manage for diversity and

monitor what works

5. Promote resilience through diversity

Use ‘CAR’ principles to

conserve environment types

6. Use ‘Comprehensive, Adequate,

Representative’ principles to protect the full

range of Australian environments (at a

national scale)

Encourage positive land use

changes for biodiversity

7. Favour land use changes with positive

rather than negative biodiversity outcomes

Inte

ns

ive o

pti

on

s

Actively manage ecological

processes

8a. Assisted dispersal

8b. More intensively manage fire regimes at

site and landscape scales to favour desired

trajectories

8c. Consider landscape engineering solutions

8d. Intensively manage natural pressures to

help conserve highly valued species or

ecological communities

Intensively manage

‘museums’

9a. Maintain ex situ populations and breeding

programs for iconic species

9b. Create reserves with hard boundaries and

intensively manage within them

* Promote re–assembly with

native species (B)

3d. Introduce non-local native species using

the proximity principle

* In the Toolbox, “Promote re–assembly with native species” describes a number of actions that are spread

between “no-regrets” (A) and “intensive” (B).

** ‘No regrets’ approaches are considered to be suitable now, or for lesser degrees of climate change, whereas

intensive options are higher risk or expensive options, and could be applied when the pressure to change

increases and decision points are reached. An assessment of the extent to which options identified by

participants address the full range of AdaptNRM options is contained in Tables 4-6.

Note: Bold numbering has been assigned to actions to assist with determining alignment between options

identified through the BAP Project and documented in Tables 4-6, and actions recommended by AdaptNRM and

presented in Table 3.

3.1.4 Identifying appropriate adaptation measures in the BAP Project

In identifying appropriate adaptation measures, it is necessary to evaluate options based on

a range of feasibility factors, such as appropriateness, cost effectiveness, and other

associated risks and uncertainties.

BAP participants used the UK Climate Impacts Programme framework to undertake this

assessment and to identify preferred/priority options (refer Figure 2).

Figure 2. UK Climate Impacts Programme – Adaptation options

No-regrets options – adaptive measures that are worthwhile (i.e. they deliver net socio-economic benefits) whatever the extent of future climate change Low-regrets options – adaptive measures for which the associated costs are relatively low and for which the benefits, although primarily realised under projected future climate change, may be relatively large. This category is also described as low cost – high benefit Win-win options – adaptation measures that have the desired result in terms of minimising the climate risks or exploiting potential opportunities, but also have other social, environmental or economic benefits Flexible options – involve putting in place incremental adaptation options, rather than undertaking large-scale adaptation in one fell swoop Source: UK Climate Impacts Programme (CIP) Identifying adaptation options guide (UK CIP 2007)

3.1.5 Adaptation pathways in the BAP Project

The approach used to develop adaptation pathways is outlined in User Guide for Applied

Adaptation Pathway (Siebentritt and Stafford Smith, 2016).

The BAP Project used adaptation pathways to enable workshop participants to sequence the

implementation of preferred management options under different climate futures. The

adaptation pathways developed by BAP workshop participants for the three ecosystem

themes are included in Section 4.

http://www.adaptationpathways.net/

http://www.adaptationpathways.net/

4 BAP project key findings

4.1 General findings

Overall, BAP workshop participant responses indicated that the ACT is undertaking and/or

trialling a broad range of biodiversity adaptation actions across grasslands, woodlands, and

river corridors and wetlands. These actions are well aligned with the AdaptNRM toolbox

(refer Table 3), which participants recognised as a useful framework for identifying a broad

range of management options for biodiversity adaptation.

BAP workshop participants identified a range of ‘what’ management options under different

climate change scenarios. They also considered operational issues relating to ‘when’ and

’how’ to implement management options. However, due to the limited time given to this

exercise, it is recognised that significant additional work is required to inform ‘when’ and

‘how’ management decisions. Participants found it difficult to identify current management

practices that should cease, despite the recognition that biodiversity would experience

considerable changes in the future. The adaptation pathways presented in this report aim to

illustrate the workshop process, rather than provide definitive adaptation pathways for the

ACT and Region.

4.2 Grasslands

4.2.1 Values attributed to grasslands

Participants attributed a range of values to grasslands, as listed in Table 4, which range from

biodiversity and ecosystem services, to aesthetics, recreational opportunity, and a sense of

belonging.

Table 4. Values attributed to woodland ecosystems identified by BAP Project participants.

Grasslands

aesthetic and visual non-urban space

agriculture quality or extent

biodiversity rare - iconic - unique species

bird watching real estate

economic opportunity - not specified recreation

flowers reptiles

food research and education

human health + wellbeing social gatherings

hunting support and regulation services

identity - sense of belonging - heritage tranquility - space - relaxation

livestock walking, running, cycling

4.2.2 Grassland adaptation options

Adaptation options for grasslands, identified by participants for each of the scenarios outlined in Table 1b, are summarised in Table 5. Of particular interest moving forward are the options put forward under high climate scenarios A and B.

4.2.3 Grassland adaptation pathways

Symbolic adaptation pathways were developed by participants for each of the scenarios

outlined in Table 1b.

Figures A and B show adaptation pathways for grasslands under high climate scenarios,

developed by participants.

4.2.4 Priorities for climate ready grasslands

In further developing the ACT’s adaptive management regime for grasslands, participants

identified the following key options:

Identify, monitor and minimise threats to natural temperate grasslands

Prepare and implement management plans for active conservation of remnants

Re-introduce disturbance regimes in reserves to create habitat mosaics

Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of conservation projects to guide investment

Develop site specific guidance for prioritisation of conservation actions

Identify and introduce climactically resilient native species from the surrounding region or preferably provenance variants of species

Promote resilience through diversity specific site focus

Further discussion within ACT Government has also identified the need to:

Identify and manage climate refugia

Develop principles to guide investment in species conservation under high climate scenarios

Table 5. Adaptation options for grasslands identified for Scenarios A, B, C and D.

“Timing” indicates whether implementation is immediate or delayed. “Business as usual” indicates whether an action is part of existing management practices. The numbers in the “AdaptNRM” column relate to the numbering of actions in Table 3.

Grasslands - consolidated adaptation options

Bu

sin

es

s a

s

usu

al

Tim

ing

Pre

ferr

ed

Scenario

No

reg

rets

Lo

w c

ost – h

igh

ben

efi

t

Win

-win

Fle

xib

le

Hig

h c

ost-

hig

h

ben

efi

t

Hig

h c

ost-

low

ben

efi

t

Ad

ap

tNR

M

A

B

C

D

Captive breeding programs Yes Now

x

x x 9a

Continue 'seed' banking for 'priority' species Yes Now

x

x

9a

Create buffers outside grassland of less intensive management Yes Now P x

x x x x

Novel

Greater community involvement in the management and monitoring of

reserves Yes Now P x x x

x

7

Identify, monitor and minimise threats to natural temperate grasslands Yes Now P x x

x x

1d

Prepare and implement management plans for active conservation of

remnants Yes Now P x x x x x x

x x

9

Prioritise weed management options, focusing on C4 species and

other critical weeds Yes Now

x

x

x x 3a

Re-introduce disturbance regimes in reserves to create habitat

mosaics Yes Now P x x x x

x x x

8d

Restore natural temperate grasslands by managing for diversity and

monitoring what works (“resilience through diversity) Yes Now

x

5

Engineering of artificial habitats Yes Now

x

x

8

Community breeding of established grasslands species No Now

x

x

9a

Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of conservation projects to guide

investments No Now

x x x x

x

x

Novel

Develop site specific guidance for prioritisation of conservation actions No Now P x x x x

x

x

Novel

Identify and introduce climactically resilient native species from

surrounding region or preferably provenance variants of species No Now

x x

x

x x

3c

Invest in infrastructure around grasslands to increase human No Now

x

x

Novel

Grasslands - consolidated adaptation options

Bu

sin

es

s a

s

usu

al

Tim

ing

Pre

ferr

ed

Scenario

No

reg

rets

Lo

w c

ost – h

igh

ben

efi

t

Win

-win

Fle

xib

le

Hig

h c

ost-

hig

h

ben

efi

t

Hig

h c

ost-

low

ben

efi

t

Ad

ap

tNR

M

A

B

C

D

interaction compatible with conservation

Investigate more compatible recreation opportunities in grassland

reserves No Now x

x

7

Strategic re-introductions of locally extinct fauna (re-wilding) No Now

x

x x Novel

Increase the size and connectivity of grassland No 5 years P x

x 1a, 1c

Explore opportunities for irrigation of natural values No 10 years

x

x

Novel

Create reserves and protected areas with hard boundaries and

intensively manage few key sites Yes Now P

x

x

x

x

9b

Make greater use of technology for environmental benefit Yes Now

x

x

Novel

Promote resilience through diversity specific site focus Yes Now

x x x

x

5

Support and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration Yes Now P

x

x x

Novel

Increase Government commitment to compliance No Now

x

x

Novel

Sell kangaroo meat from reserves to fund environmental management No 10 years

x

x

Novel

Figures A and B: Legend for adaptation pathways map:

a solid, dark green line indicates the time period over which an option is considered useful

A lighter green line indicates time before an action occurs where preparatory work is required

circles indicate a critical decision point

yellow lines with arrows indicate preferred pathways that need to be further assessed

Figure A. Grassland adaptation pathway for Scenario A (High climate change and high social values toward biodiversity).

Figure B. Grassland adaptation pathway for Scenario B (High climate change and low social value toward biodiversity).

Identify and monitor threats

to natural temperate grassland

Support and facilitate knowledge

sharing and collaboration

Design approach to evaluate and

prioritise conservation projects

Implement management plans for

active conservation of remnants

Strengthen regional partnerships and

community stewardship

Create reserves with hard boundaries

and manage intensively at key sites

Re-introduce disturbance regimes in

reserves to create habitat mosaics

Make greater use of technology for

environmental benefit

Sell kangaroo meat from reserves

to fund environmental management

Introduce climactically resilient native

species from surrounding region

0 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 yrs

4.3 Woodlands

4.3.1 Values attributed to woodlands

Participants attributed a range of values to woodlands, as listed in Table 6, which range from

biodiversity and ecosystem services, to aesthetics, recreational opportunity, and a sense of

belonging.

Table 6. Values attributed to woodland ecosystems identified by BAP Project participants.

Woodlands

aesthetic and visual identity - sense of belonging - heritage

agriculture photography

amenity - not specified positive emotions

economic opportunity quality or extent

existence rare - iconic - unique species

flowers recreation

food research and education

fuel wood social gatherings

human health + wellbeing trees

hunting walking, running, cycling

4.3.2 Woodland adaptation options

Adaptation options for woodlands, identified by participants for each of the scenarios outlined in Table 1b, are summarised in Table 7. Of particular interest moving forward are the options put forward under high climate

scenarios A and B Figures C and D show adaptation pathways for woodlands under high

climate scenarios, developed by participants.

4.3.3 Woodland adaptation pathways

Symbolic woodland adaptation pathways were developed by participants for each of the

scenarios outlined in Table 1b. Figures C and D show adaptation pathways for woodlands

under high climate scenarios.

4.3.4 Priorities for climate ready woodlands

In further developing the ACT’s adaptive management regime for woodlands, participants

identified the following key options:

Increase funding for monitoring and management research

Manage native vegetation based on fire risk – planning and review

Strengthen management research partnerships

Collaborate with existing land uses/users where biodiversity is a co-benefit

Increase communication, engagement and education with the public

Rehabilitate woodland with a focus on high connectivity and recreation value

Develop new markets for ecosystem services (e.g. soil ecosystem services)

Table 7. Adaptation options for woodlands identified for Scenarios A, B, C and D.

“Timing” indicates whether implementation is immediate or delayed. “Business as usual” indicates whether an action is part of existing management practices.

The numbers in the “AdaptNRM” column relate to the numbering of actions in Table 3.

Woodland adaptation options

Bu

sin

es

s a

s

usu

al

Tim

ing

Pre

ferr

ed

Scenario

No

reg

rets

Lo

w c

ost

- h

igh

ben

efi

ts

Win

-win

Fle

xib

le

Hig

h c

ost-

hig

h

ben

efi

t

Hig

h c

ost-

low

ben

efi

t

Ad

ap

tNR

M

A

B

C

D

Create artificial habitat for threatened species Yes Now P x

x

8c

Identify translocation sites and provide resources for maintenance Yes Now P x

6

Increase economic gain from biodiversity friendly activity Yes Now

x

Novel

Increase funding for monitoring and management research Yes Now P x x

x x

x

1e

Invest in iconic species Yes Now

x

Novel

Manage native vegetation based upon fire risk - planning and review Yes Now

x x x

x 8b

Manage natural pressures Yes Now

x

8d

Promote ecotourism in nature reserves Yes Now

x

Novel

Identify synergies between woodland priorities and other conservation

objectives (e.g. water quality, fire management, etc) Yes Now

x

x

Novel

Promote conservation across public and private lands (tenure-blind) Yes Now

x

x

Novel

Re-assess woodland connectivity priorities in light of climate change Yes Now P x

x

1c

Strengthen management-research partnerships Yes Now P x x

x x

x

Novel

Target control of invasive species and pathways e.g. biological control Yes Now P x

x

3a

Develop marketing strategy to support conservation actions No Now

x

x

Novel

Link decision-making across sectors No Now

x

x

Novel

Review conservation goal of maintaining natural integrity to consider

new objectives that allow for structural change No Now P x

Novel

Engage stakeholders to better understand social values No Now

x

x

Novel

Change policy on activities permitted in reserves No 5 years P x

x

Novel

Convert softwood plantations to reserves with native vegetation and

biodiversity focus No 5 years P x

x

x x

7

Woodland adaptation options

Bu

sin

es

s a

s

usu

al

Tim

ing

Pre

ferr

ed

Scenario

No

reg

rets

Lo

w c

ost

- h

igh

ben

efi

ts

Win

-win

Fle

xib

le

Hig

h c

ost-

hig

h

ben

efi

t

Hig

h c

ost-

low

ben

efi

t

Ad

ap

tNR

M

A

B

C

D

Focus policy guidance on site-specific management recommendations No 5 years

x

Novel

Develop methods for biological invasive species control No 5 years

x

3a

Develop policy for encouraging conservation actions on recoverable

lands e.g. hobby farming No 5 years

x

7

Legislate and develop culture of threatened plants in gardens No 5 years

x

x

9a

Invest in large natural areas not specifically sanctuaries No 15 years P x

1a

Invest in threatened species likely to persist No 20 years

x

9

Prioritise threatened species most likely to persist in reserves No 20 years P x

Novel

Change building codes for houses to cope with extreme weather No 25 years

x

Novel

Collaborate with existing land uses where biodiversity is a co-benefit Yes Now P

x

x

7

Increase communication, engagement and education with the public Yes Now P

x

x x

x

Novel

Maintain threatened species for conservation tourism value (e.g. the

Mulligans Flat Wildlife Sanctuary model) Yes Now

x

x Novel

Manage parks based on priority ecosystem services for human benefit

e.g. fire, recreation Yes Now

x

x 2

Rehabilitate woodland with a focus on high connectivity and recreation

value Yes Now P

x x x

x

Novel

Develop new markets for ecosystem services (e.g. soil ecosystem

services) No Now P

x

x

2

Target urban planning for biodiversity benefit No 15 years P

x

Novel

Figures C and D: Legend for adaptation pathways map:





Figure C. Woodland adaptation pathway for Scenario A (High climate change and high social values toward biodiversity).

Figure D. Woodland adaptation pathway for Scenario B (High climate change and low social value toward biodiversity).

Evaluate conservation objectives

given changes in climate and social

values

Strengthen management-research

partnerships

Create artificial habitat for

threatened species

Transition mixed value and production

areas to biodiversity areas

Change policy on activities permitted

In reserves

Identify translocation sites and

provide resources for maintenance

Targeted control of invasive species

and pathways e.g. biological control

Develop policy for conservation on

recoverable lands e.g. hobby farms

Shift priority locations for on-ground

connectivity enhancement

Invest in large natural areas not

specifically sanctuaries

Prioritise threatened species most

likely to persist in reserves

0 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 yrs

Collaborate with existing land uses

where biodiversity is a co-benefit

Rehabilitate woodland with high

connectivity and recreation value

New markets for ecosystem services

Increase communication and

engagement with the public on the

importance of woodlands

Partnership model for research and

monitoring

Manage native vegetation based

upon fire risk

Manage parks based on priority

ecosystem services for human benefit

Maintain threatened species for

conservation tourism value

Targeted planning for biodiversity

benefit

0 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 yrs

4.4 River corridors and wetlands

4.4.1 Values attributed to river corridors and wetlands

Participants attributed a range of values to river corridors and wetlands, as listed in Table 8,

which range from biodiversity and ecosystem services, to aesthetics, recreational

opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

Table 8. Values attributed to river corridors and wetland ecosystems identified by BAP

Project participants.

River corridors and wetlands

aesthetic and visual non-urban space

amenity positive emotions

birds real estate

boating and swimming recreation

economic opportunity research and education

fish support and regulation services

food tranquility - space – relaxation

human health and wellbeing walking, running, cycling

identity - sense of belonging - heritage water

livestock

4.4.2 River corridors and wetland adaptation options

Adaptation options river corridor and wetlands, identified by participants for each of the scenarios outlined in Table 1b, are summarised in Table 9. Of particular interest moving forward are the options put forward under high climate scenarios A and B.

4.4.3 River corridors and wetland adaptation pathways

Symbolic river corridors and wetland adaptation pathways were developed by participants

for each of the scenarios outlined in Table 1b. Figures E and F show adaptation pathways

for river corridors and wetlands under high climate scenarios.

4.4.4 Priorities for climate ready river corridors and wetlands

In further developing the ACT’s adaptive management regime for river corridors and

wetlands, participants identified the following key options:

Adopt water quality improvement measures in both rural and urban areas

Better manage surface flows and groundwater across catchments

Improve cross-border implementation of environmental flows

Identify and manage for ecosystem services

Identify, establish, manage and protect refugia

Protect and rehabilitate banks and instream habitat (not always vegetation)

Intensively manage pressures to conserve valued species

Raise awareness of links between human activities and environmental impacts

Table 9. Adaptation options for river corridors and wetlands identified for Scenarios A, B, C and D.

“Timing” indicates whether implementation is immediate or delayed. “Business as usual” indicates whether an action is part of existing management practices. The numbers in the “AdaptNRM” column relate to the numbering of actions in Table 3.

River corridors and wetlands adaptation options

Bu

sin

es

s a

s

usu

al

Tim

ing

Pre

ferr

ed

Scenario

No

reg

rets

Lo

w c

ost

- h

igh

ben

efi

ts

Win

-win

Fle

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le

Hig

h c

ost-

hig

h

ben

efi

t

Hig

h c

ost-

low

ben

efi

t

Ad

ap

tNR

M

A

B

C

D

Adopt water quality improvement measures in both rural and urban

areas Yes Now x x x

x

x x x

1d

Better manage surface flows and groundwater across catchments Yes Now x x x

x x

x

7

Control aquatic pests (e.g. carp, Gambusia) Yes Now

x

x x

3a

Control invasive pest plants (including willows) Yes Now

x x x

x x x 3a

Better understand local management needs for groundwater Yes Now

x

Novel

Implement angling (fisheries management) tools to protect aquatic

fauna Yes Now

x

x

x x

Novel

Improve cross-border implementation of environmental flows Yes Now x x

x x x x

x

Novel

Manage threatened plants and animals through artificially maintained

populations (stocking and translocation) Yes Now

x

x x

9a

Protect and rehabilitate banks and instream habitat (not always

vegetation) Yes Now x x x x x x x x x

x 1c, 1d

Rehabilitate and expand (cold water) fish habitat and enhance in-

stream connectivity Yes Now x x

x

x x

1c

Mine sand to reduce areas of deposition caused by human intervention

in the catchment Yes Now

x

x

1d

Research transitional and transformational management actions for

riparian zones under climate scenarios No Now

x

Novel

Identify and manage ecosystem services No 5 years

x x

x

2

Identify, establish, manage and protect refugia (including use of cold

water dam releases) No 10 years x x

x x

x x x

4

Re-introduce threatened aquatic species from NSW which have been No 10 years

x

x x

3c

River corridors and wetlands adaptation options

Bu

sin

es

s a

s

usu

al

Tim

ing

Pre

ferr

ed

Scenario

No

reg

rets

Lo

w c

ost

- h

igh

ben

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Win

-win

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M

A

B

C

D

lost in the ACT

Increase social values of aquatic biodiversity from low to high Yes Now x

x

x

x

Novel

Intensively manage pressures to conserve valued species Yes Now x

x x x

x x

8d

Raise awareness of links between human activities and environmental

impacts Yes Now x

x x

x x

Novel

Stock fish in lakes to take pressure off rivers Yes Now

x

x

Novel

Maintain functional vegetation cover No Now x

x

x

3b, 3c

Support succession of native vegetation - trial and error No 10 years

x

x

8a

Figures E and F: Legend for adaptation pathways map:





Figure E. River corridors and wetlands adaptation pathway for Scenario A (High climate change and high social values toward biodiversity).

Figure F. River corridors and wetlands adaptation pathway for Scenario B (High climate change and low social value toward biodiversity).

Protect and rehabilitate banks and

instream habitat

Catchment management (surface

and groundwater)

Expand fish habitat and enhance

in-stream connectivity

Adopt water quality improvement

measures

Improve cross-border implementation

of environmental flows

Implement angling management

tools to protect aquatic fauna

Control invasive pest plants and

animals

Maintain existing threatened species

(e.g. artificial populations)

R&D into transitional and

transformational options

Identify, manage and protect refugia,

including with cold water releases

Sand mining to reduce areas of

deposition and increase habitat

Introduce (translocate) species from

outside of the ACT

0 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 yrs

Catchment management

Raise awareness of impact of human

activity on environmental values

Increase social values for biodiversity

Maintain functional vegetation

cover and support succession

Control invasive plants

Rehabilitate banks

Improve water quality in urban and

rural areas

Stock fish in lakes and rivers

Intensively manage natural

pressures to conserve valued

species

Identify and manage ecosystem

services

Support succession of vegetation

0 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 yrs

4.5 Knowledge management

4.5.1 Data, information and knowledge

Participants distinguished between data, information and knowledge.

Figure G. Definitions for data, information and knowledge

Data – which can range from personal undocumented observations, paper records, digital records and media records

For example, when considering

climate change:

Data = climate projections

Information - which can be described as data that is consolidated, analysed or presented, and

Information = drought and

bushfire impacts

Knowledge – which is data and information used to inform decision-making for planning, policy, programs and research.

Knowledge = management and

policy responses

4.5.2 Technological innovation and governance arrangements

Participants identified technological innovation as a key driver of change in knowledge

management which is creating opportunities to:

Collect higher quality and a broader range of data

Reduce the cost and ease of data collection

Harmonise data management systems so that they can complement one another at local, regional and national scales

Improve reliability and accuracy of data collection

Improve accessibility to data, information and knowledge

Improve sharing and communication between data curators and

Communicate more effectively with decision-makers.

It was also recognised that supportive institutional and governance arrangements are

required in order to take advantage of technological innovation. Participants identified two

such important new governance arrangements:

ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group (identified as an immediate priority) and

Compliance with the ACT Government’s Open Data Policy.

4.5.3 Potential actions in support of knowledge management

Participants identified a range of potential actions that could support more effective knowledge management as listed in Table 10.

Table 10. Summary of options for knowledge management in the ACT and Region identified by BAP Project participants.

Immediate actions

Identify critical knowledge gaps and assumptions

Define and review key questions and objectives (e.g. in light of climate change)

Develop an ACT Knowledge Strategy ( identify key roles and responsibilities)

Improve communication on biodiversity adaptation (extinction, captive breeding, translocations, etc) and

Expand roles and responsibilities of statutory Inter-Jurisdictional Catchment Coordination Group (e.g. NRM, conservation).

Delayed actions

Report on 'ACT State of Knowledge' (e.g. values, trends, indices, workflows, learnings, decision making processes)

Capture institutional / corporate knowledge (e.g. from long-serving staff)

Promote applications of remote ecosystem surveillance (e.g. TERN, long-term monitoring sites);

Develop and deploy real-time modeling and evaluation (e.g. bushfire risks, restoration priorities, state of environment)

Unpack NRM knowledge (communications, awareness, sharing)

Develop environmental accounting rules and reporting

Build capacity in assessing complex trade-offs

Develop pricing of NRM, conservation and catchment management to help build the business case for prioritising environmental information

Use online ACT Government profiles to help target engagement to assess social values and

Develop web tools to aggregate and integrate information from disparate online portals.

4.6 Potential barriers/challenges affecting climate adaptation

4.6.1 Values- rules- knowledge barriers and challenges

Participants identified perceived potential barriers to implementation of priority adaptation

responses, using the values-rules-knowledge framework:

4.6.2 Values

Conflicting values and a lack of coherence between the principles of natural resource management, and the wants of the community and business

Other priorities competing with climate change – e.g. household and health costs and

Lack of financial value placed on biodiversity, which results in failure to develop an economically viable natural resource management sector.

4.6.3 Rules

Inter-jurisdictional inconsistencies in objectives, priorities and implementation strategies e.g. between ACT and surrounding regions

Lack of cohesion within government resulting in cross-sectoral win-lose outcomes, instead of win-win, and resulting in the implementation of options which are not in accordance with management plans and

Constraints on the generation of financial returns due to the limited types of partnerships that are permitted.

4.6.4 Knowledge

Risks associated with the use of citizen science in co-management arrangements

Mismatch in the timing of the demonstrable long term benefits of new or existing policy and management options and decision-making cycles

Lack of knowledge on the effectiveness of management regimes due to an absence of a structured monitoring framework

Absence of an ACT and national data system for natural resource management similar to what is available for socio-economic metrics, i.e. lack of transparency in relation to environmental performance, and

Uncertainty about climate change impacts, how they will interact with other non-climate change impacts, and how different species will respond.

4.6.5 Knowledge management

Participants identified the following challenges that impact on knowledge management:

disruptions caused by periodic restructuring of government agencies

perceptions that environmental data, information and knowledge are not a organisational priority

a culture of data ownership rather than open access

lack of policies on data standards, including guidelines for recording metadata

rapid changes in technology are difficult to keep abreast of, and integrate into current practices and systems

lack of guidance for contracts and

slow delivery of information required to meet decision-making needs.

5 Next steps

5.1 Climate appropriate biodiversity adaptation

Moving forward, it is important to focus biodiversity adaptation responses on the most

plausible scenarios for climate change. Based on current modelling of greenhouse gas

emission trajectories, this means planning for high climate change scenarios.

Figure H. Greenhouse gas emissions

Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/24/

5.2 Changing values underpinning biodiversity conservation

Conservation efforts have conventionally been pinned to the rarity value of species and

communities. Under climate change these values will be tested, for example, climate change

impacts could modify the suitability of the region to support certain species or communities.

Similarly, other drivers, such social needs and values, are expected to exert a stronger

influence on what is acceptable or desirable as biodiversity conservation. Potential barriers

and challenges expected to affect climate adaptation were highlighted in section 4.6.

5.3 Biodiversity conservation into the future

It is recognised that climate change is expected to lead to significant ecological change. As

climate change impacts become more apparent, there is likely to be an increased need and

urgency to respond to questions that support the transition of “managing what is known”, i.e.

under current climate, to also “managing for what might be”, under plausible future climates.

Adaptation responses and decisions can be categorised as measures and strategies that

contribute either to:

Building adaptive capacity – creating the information (research, data collecting and monitoring, awareness raising), supportive social structures (organisational

http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/24/

development, working in partnership, institutions), and supportive governance (regulations, legislations, and guidance) that are needed as a foundation for delivering adaptation actions or

Delivering adaptation actions – actions that help to reduce vulnerability to climate risks, or to exploit opportunities.

These two categories reflect the range of adaptation measures and strategies from which a

good adaptation response can be developed.1

In investigating the opportunities, risks and issues arising from expected changes in climate

and social values, decision makers face questions such as how can the ACT and Region:

preserve and/or improve ecosystem function and health?

ensure ecosystem services, as natural systems transition in response to changes in climate and/or other drivers of change?

mitigate risks of maladaptation? and

promote win-win outcomes for the environment and society at a landscape scale?

In responding to these questions, the ACT and Region will need to be prepared to consider

some of the more challenging issues such as how to:

better integrate “climate-ready objectives” into policies and plans

respond to situations where a species or community that today is characteristic of the region, may be lost to the region, due to climate and/or other drivers of change?

respond when faced with trade-offs? E.g. when forced to choose between saving one species over another

protect and manage sites for climate refugia values

choose between management options. E.g. choosing between when to cease, continue or commence a management action? These choices would require a consistent decision-making framework which might include tools such as cost-benefit analysis, risk management assessments, likelihood of success measures and assessment of the effectiveness and adequacy of the package/suite of management actions being implemented

monitor system changes.

Addressing risks associated with a changing climate and taking anticipatory actions to

address risks and opportunities associated with longer-term climate change requires a

commitment to an adaptive management model.

As climate impacts become more apparent, decision-making for planning and managing for

climate adaptation is likely to require more flexible and responsive policy, budgetary and

management regimes. Additionally, value-based principles and thresholds for transitional

and transformative management strategies will need to be specified. The need for long-term

thinking, which includes the identification of strategies that could be implemented over long

periods of time, alongside short-term goals, will need to become the norm. These ideas are

central aspects of the decision sequencing/timing concepts of adaptation pathways, which

were explored through the BAP Project.

1 Source: UK Climate Impact Programme – Identifiying Adaptation Options

5.4 Priority work to support climate adaptation

In order for the ACT and Region to respond to its policy commitments (refer section 2.2) it

would benefit from addressing some of the more complex questions around biodiversity

adaptation that were highlighted in section 5.3.

Appropriate adaptation responses rely on improved understanding about how the future

unfolds. Increased knowledge on how threats and opportunities are likely to change and

critical thresholds and triggers will provide decision makers with additional guidance on

‘when to stay the course’ versus ‘when to change tack’.

The focus of this section is to build on the process that was initiated by the BAP Project, and

to identify further work that can support climate adaptation in the ACT and Region.

5.4.1 Climate ready objectives

The ACT’s legislation and policies promote the integration of climate considerations in

planning and implementation. Climate ready objectives in policies, strategies and plans is an

effective way of guiding future actions and creating an operating environment that is better

suited to decision-making under climate change..

It is also beneficial to regularly assess the suite of current management actions for their

appropriateness and effectiveness, and to update them to improve biodiversity adaptation

outcomes. Applying national best practice frameworks and tools, such as the AdaptNRM

strategies and actions (refer Table 3), is considered an effective way to continuously improve

the ACT and Region’s approach.

Recommendation 1

The ACT Government include climate ready objectives in its future policies, strategies and

plans for biodiversity conservation.

Recommendation 2

The ACT Government apply national best practice frameworks and tools for identifying and

continually improving adaptation management options in the ACT and Region.

5.4.2 Climate refugia

In moving forward, additional work is required to establish a clear understanding of the

implications of climate change on our native species and ecological communities. Identifying

climate refugia has been highlighted as a key pillar of the ACT’s approach to biodiversity

adaptation in its existing policies and strategies (refer section 1.2). Notably, it is specified

under Strategy 3, Action 4 of the ACT Nature Conservation Strategy 2013-23, and remains a

critical knowledge gap.

By identifying climate refugia for threatened, rare and keystone species, it is possible to

establish what is plausible within given climate futures. This work is, therefore, an important

precursor to the development of any decision-support framework for biodiversity adaptation.

Information on climate refugia also complements existing datasets that the ACT Government

has recently invested in, such as datasets for vegetation type and structure, soil and

hydrogeology.

Knowledge of climate refugia can be an important input to action plans, management plans

and operational guidance. It can provide a basis for land managers to undertake further work

into better understanding the management needs and long-term conservation values of

these critical areas. Used in conjunction with information related to other relevant drivers of

change and threatening processes, it can inform investment decision-making.

Recommendation 3

The ACT Government undertake spatial analysis to fill a knowledge gap around potential

climate refugia in the ACT.

5.4.3 Monitoring for biodiversity climate adaptation

Identification and monitoring of lead indicators will be a critical element of an adaptive

management regime. They can help track progress against a range of plausible future

trajectories shown to influence decision-making, help identify critical thresholds, and alert

when practice change is required. In addition to observing and tracking system changes in

this way, we can also ground truth information and management practices, and provide an

evidence base for future policy development and for the selection and implementation of

management options. Ensuring that this feedback loop is built into decision making

processes is critical to ensuring that potential maladaptation outcomes are avoided and/or

effectively managed.

Recommendation 4

The ACT Government to explore methods for observing and tracking climate related system

changes.

5.4.4 Managing data and information to improve decision-making and

collaboration

Ensuring timely access by decision makers to accurate information has become

technologically feasible. Knowledge managers are expected to play an increasingly

important role in the setting up of harmonised information systems to collect, maintain,

manage, analyse and report on data and information about climate resilience of native

species and communities, and transitional and transformational options and opportunities to

safeguard ecosystem services and landscape function.

Recommendation 5

The ACT Government continue to strengthen collaboration in working with key stakeholders

to improve availability and accessibility of critical data and to support biodiversity adaptation

across south east Australia.

6 References Costanza, R., I. Kubiszewski, S. Cork, P. Atkins, A. Bean, A. Diamond, N. J. Grigg, E. Korb,

J. Logg-Scarvell, R. Navis, and K. Patrick. 2015. Scenarios for Australia in 2050: A

Synthesis and Proposed Survey. Journal of Futures Studies 19:49-76.

Dunlop, M., Parris, H., Ryan, P. and Kroon, F. 2013. Climate-ready conservation objectives:

a scoping study. National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast,

pp. 102.

Gorddard, R., Colloff, M.J., Wise, R.M., Wareb, D. and Dunlop, M. 2015. Values, rules and

knowledge: Adaptation as change in the decision context. Environmental Science & Policy

57: 60–69.

Jäger, J., D. S. Rothman, C. Anastasi, S. Kartha, and P. van Notten. 2007. GEO Resource

Book: A training manual on integrated environmental assessment and reporting. Training

Module 6. Scenario Development and analysis., UNEP and IISD.

Prober, S.M., Williams, K.J., Harwood, T.D., Doerr, V.A.J., Jeanneret, T., Manion, G.,

Ferrier, S. 2015. Helping Biodiversity Adapt: Supporting climate-adaptation planning using a

community-level modelling approach. CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Canberra.

Stockholm Environment Institute and CIFOR. 2009. Multiple-Scale Participatory Scenarios:

Visions, Policies, and Pathways. Stockholm Environment Institute and Center for

International Forestry Research, Stockholm.

http://adaptnrm.csiro.au/biodiversity-options/the-biodiversity-adaptation-toolbox/

http://adaptnrm.csiro.au/biodiversity-options/the-biodiversity-adaptation-toolbox/practical-

implementation/

UK Climate Impacts Programme. 2007. Identifying adaptation options. Environmental

Change Institute, University of Oxford.

Siebentritt, M.A. and Stafford Smith, M. 2016. A User’s Guide to Applied Adaptation

Pathways. In preparation.

http://adaptnrm.csiro.au/biodiversity-options/the-biodiversity-adaptation-toolbox/

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