Managing climate change refugia for climate adaptation

This paper discusses the concept of refugia as a way for populations to persist during periods of unfavourable climate, especially in the past. In the context of conservation in the face of ongoing climate change, the authors explain what physical and ecological processes create and maintain climate change refugia and how refugia can fit into decision support frameworks for climate adaptation, especially regarding national parks.

The publication identifies seven steps for managing refugia:

• Define planning purpose and objectives.
• Assess climate impacts and vulnerabilities.
• Review/revise conservation goals and objectives.
• Identify and map key refugia features.
• Evaluate and prioritise refugial areas for specific management.
• Identify and implement priority actions to manage climate change refugia.
• Monitor the effectiveness of designated refugia, realign objectives and actions accordingly.

PLoS ONE, Volume 11, Issue 8, August 2016. This document is published under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 licence.