Climate Change Research | Centre for Conservation Science

Causeymire Wind Farm, Achkeepster, Caithness, Highland region, Scotland

Overview

To minimise the effects on biodiversity, there are two challenges. We need to reduce the threat of climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation), for instance by using renewable energy. We also need to consider how to adapt conservation work to help species to cope with the effects of climate change (adaptation).

The RSPB carries out research primarily on three fronts and often in partnership with others. First, we monitor species and undertake diagnostic work to determine how climate change is impacting biodiversity.

Secondly, we test the usefulness of solutions such as protected area designation or land management techniques to help conserve biodiversity in the face of climate change impacts. Thirdly, we conduct research to understand the impacts of renewable energy technologies on wildlife.

Sub-themes

Impacts and conservation solutions
Our research in this area falls into several complementary themes. We use our excellent monitoring data, at UK and European scales, to detect climate change impacts on wildlife, to predict future impacts and to develop indicators of these impacts.

We carry out research to understand important ecological mechanisms through which climate change may affect species and assess the extent of risk to species.

Using this knowledge, we design and test conservation solutions to help species cope with climate change, from whole protected area networks to micro-climate manipulation on reserves. We work with policy officers and land managers to translate research findings into practical adaptation guidance.

Renewable energy impacts
The potential impacts of renewable energy on wildlife dominates our scientific input to casework – our assessment of whether specific development proposals might threaten important sites and species.

To inform this input, we research the impacts of renewable energy technologies, in particular wind energy. For instance, we work with partners, including industry and government, to assess collision risk and displacement of birds. Tracking technologies are increasingly valuable tools for this work.

We seek to understand cumulative risks, across multiple sites. Finally, we use mapping approaches to express spatially the potential for conflict between renewable technologies and sensitive biodiversity, to better inform planning.

Who's involved

Dr Benedict Gove

Senior conservation scientist, RSPB

: benedict.gove@rspb.org.uk

Dr David Douglas

Principal Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

: david.douglas@rspb.org.uk

Dr Richard Bradbury

Head of People Conservation Science, Conservation Science

: richard.bradbury@rspb.org.uk

Dr Matthew Carroll

Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

: matthew.carroll@rspb.org.uk

Dr Steven Ewing

Senior Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

: steven.ewing@rspb.org.uk

Related publications

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on species abundance in protected areas

The dynamic nature and diversity of species’ responses to climate change poses significant difficulties for developing robust, long-term conservation strategies. One key question is whether existing ...

Date: 03 November 2013

RSPB Authors: Dr Richard Bradbury, Dr Staffan Roos

Authors: Johnston, A., Ausden, M., Dodd, A.M., Bradbury, R.B., Chamberlain, D.E., Jiguet, F., Thomas, C.D., Cook, A.S.C.P., Newson, S.E., Ockendon, N., Rehfisch, M.M., Roos, S., Thaxter, C.B., Brown, A., Crick, H.Q.P., Douse, A., McCall, R.A., Pontier, H., Stroud, D.A. & Cadiou, B.

Published in: Nature Climate Change

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The influence of climate and topography in patterns of territory establishment in a range-expanding bird

The Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata has recently expanded its range northwards and upwards in the UK, consistent with the hypothesis that this cold-sensitive species has responded to a warming climate....

Date: 22 February 2011

RSPB Authors: Dr Richard Bradbury, Simon Wotton

Authors: Bradbury, R.B., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Wotton, S.R., Conway, G.J. & Grice, P.V.

Published in: Ibis

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The utility of bioclimatic models for projecting future changes in the distribution of birds in response to climate change

Bioclimatic models, especially climatic envelope models, are a widely-used approach to assessing the likely future impacts of current rapid climatic change on species abundance and distribution. We...