Natura 2000 newsletter Issue 22

The impact of climate change on Europe’s biodiversity can already be observed – for example in changing distributions of species, flowering times and bird migrations. Biodiversity will be more resilient to climate change, more able to adapt, if we maintain our ecosystems in a healthy state. Natura 2000 – which aims to maintain habitats and species in favourable conservation status – is in this context a critical climate change adaptation measure. The protected area network provides space for nature and helps sustain nature’s ‘adaptation options’. This issue of the magazine looks at Natura 2000’s role in combatting climate change, as well as a range of mitigation strategies and adaptation measures.