Climate change is likely to have major environmental effects on natural habitats in the next fifty years. Conservation of biological diversity will have to be modified drastically to avoid massive extinctions of species of threatened habitat types. Precise recommendations are made to governments and conservation agencies that collaborate in the framework of the Bern Convention.This publication provides a starting point for discussion about possible adaptation strategies if Europe's biodiversity is to be conserved.
1. Introduction: overview of climate change
2. International aspects of nature conservation
3. Anticipated changes in Europe
3.1. Overview
3.2. Geographical range of plant communities
3.3. Geographical range of species
3.4. Extent of communities
3.5. Abundance of species
3.6. Phenology
3.7. Genetic diversity
3.8. Behaviour of migratory species
3.9. Problems caused by non-native species
3.10 Synopsis of anticipated changes
4. Management responses within and outside protected areas
4.1. Overview
4.2. Documenting existing biodiversity
4.3. Identifying changes in Europe's biodiversity
4.4. Managing Europe's protected areas
4.5. Managing Europe's biodiversity in the wider environment
4.6. Monitoring and indicators
5. Conclusions and recommendations
6. Acknowledgements
7. References
Appendix: Recommendation No. 122 (2006)
