Biodiversity and Climate Change Conference
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. During the course of the year events are happening in every region of the world to raise awareness on the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. The Highlands International Biodiversity and Climate Change conference will provide a platform to promote dialogue between government, agencies, academic institutions and voluntary bodies on the increasingly apparent linkages between climate change and biodiversity loss, with a view to designing innovative solutions to reduce the threats, and enable us to adapt to the challenges of climate change.
OBJECTIVES
- To Enhance public awareness of the importance of safeguarding biodiversity and of the underlying threats to biodiversity which climate change may accelerate
- To Showcase biodiversity projects led by Highlands and Islands communities and develop further strategies for future projects and networking.
- To Investigate gaps in knowledge generate ideas and promote innovative solutions to reduce the threats to biodiversity from climate change.
- To Encourage main stake-holders to take the immediate steps needed to halt the loss of biodiversity.
KEY TOPICS
- Marine and coastal biodiversity:
From coastal erosion and rising sea levels to the loss of habitats Scotland’s coasts are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Already warmer waters have created a shift in prey plankton which has exacerbated the decline of North Sea cod stocks. How can we make space for the natural development of rivers and coasts? What adaption measures can we adopt to increase resilience to the unavoidable impacts of climate change? - Forest Conservation and Sustainable Use
Organisations such as the Forestry Commission and Trees for Life are actively engaged in landscape restoration. With the Forestry Commission currently developing the Woodland Carbon Code for carbon sequestration. What lessons can we learn as we develop the practice of balancing economics and sustainability alongside the challenges of climate change? - Engaging with communities:
Local communities are Scotland’s best asset. There have already been many valuable individual contributions to enhancing and promoting biodiversity in the Highlands and Islands. How can we develop a robust network of community based, climate change driven biodiversity projects? - Biodiversity enhancing land management:
Intensive farming practices and the removal of hedgerows to create large fields leave little room for wildlife. How can we encourage land users such as farmers, estates and developers to participate in more sustainable and biodiversity enhancing land use? How can we ensure natural soil protection? What steps can we take to ensure sustainable management of our mountain and upland areas, while enabling the creation of new habitats to help northward migrating species adapt to climate change?
Attendees will be given an opportunity to
- Listen to experts in both marine and terrestrial ecology
- Participate in facilitated networking and interactive sessions on the impacts of climate change on the Biodiversity of the Highlands and Islands
- Contribute to innovative solutions for enhancing biodiversity adaption against climate change
- Celebrate projects past and present and play a role in devising new and exciting schemes for the future
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan identifies 1150 species and 65 habitats as priorities for action in the UK. 606 of the UK priority species occur in Scotland, and Highland supports 75% of these. Highland also holds over three quarters of the UK priority habitats.
Highland_Biodiversity_Action_Plan_2010-2013
Climate is one of the most important factors that influence the behaviour, abundance and distribution of species, as well as having a strong influence on the ecology of habitats and ecosystems. Changes in species behaviours are already being observed and linked to climate. Over time these and other changes are likely to become increasingly profound. CBCCGuidance.pdf
Climate is one of the most important factors that influence the behaviour, abundance and distribution of species, as well as having a strong influence on the ecology of habitats and ecosystems. Changes in species behaviours are already being observed and linked to climate. Over time these and other changes are likely to become increasingly profound. CBCCGuidance.pdf
This conference will be particularly useful for:
- Policymakers, Government Officials and Local Authorities
- Members of the Scottish Biodiversity Forum
- Academics and Researchers
- NGOs
- Crofters
- Farmers
- Land Manager
- Foresters
- Fish farmers & fishermen
- Sustainable communities
- Tourist operators
- Media
Join us to find inspiration in our achievements to safeguard biodiversity and focus on the urgency of our challenge for the future. Now is the time to act!