Biodiv Sci ›› 2014, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (3): 407-413.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2014.13210

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Major policies and measures on biodiversity adaptation to climate change: international experience and enlightenment

Ying Liu, Yueyu Zou, Liucai Zhu, Weiling Wu, Pei Li()   

  1. Foreign Economic Cooperation Office, Ministry of Environment Protection, Beijing 100035
  • Received:2013-09-26 Accepted:2014-01-22 Online:2014-05-20 Published:2014-06-04

Abstract:

Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. We analyzed current policies and measures relating to biodiversity adaptation to climate change in some of the most developed countries and developing mega-biodiversity countries. Some governments recognize the great importance and urgency of action on biodiversity adaptation and have released national strategies. The most popular approach is an ecosystem-based adaptation approach, embodied by measures such as increasing landscape connectivity as well as improving management and restoration of existing protected areas to achieve higher resilience. Most governments consider climate change and its impacts on biodiversity an interdisciplinary topic, which needs continual, collaborative monitoring. Addressing the impacts of climate change also requires an assessment of the vulnerability of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The establishment of high-level coordination mechanisms coupled with sufficient funding is required to fully implement adaptation policies and measures. Based on these foreign experiences and current progress in China, we hereby propose the following suggestions: (1) highlight the crucial importance of a biodiversity and a well-adapted ecosystem while enabling society to adapt to climate change; (2) improve capability of integrated management of protected areas to build biodiversity and ecosystem resilience; (3) integrate comprehensive monitoring network and conduct regular and continuing assessment of the vulnerability of biodiversity to climate change in China.

Key words: biodiversity, ecosystem, vulnerability, resilience, adaptation, climate change, policy and measures