Approach
In urban areas, many forests and natural ecosystems have been degraded or developed into other land uses. As a result, forest ecosystems are relatively uncommon on the landscape and may already act as refugia by providing habitat for species lost from surrounding areas due to human-caused disturbance. Sites may be of particular interest for one or more reasons. They may currently support high levels of biodiversity. They may contain a diverse range of geophysical diversity that is likely to sustain and promote species diversity over the long term. Or they may have a combination of high biological and geophysical diversity. Sites with several topographically related microclimates and local permeability may provide the best chance for species responding to climate change. Restoration or reclamation projects may be needed to increase the representation of these habitats on the landscape.
Tactics
- Urban natural areas: Protecting existing habitat remnants from disturbance, particularly if they are in areas that may provide future climate refugia.
- Urban natural areas: Restoring unique habitats that may be less susceptible to climate change or using reclamation efforts to create new patches of such habitats on suitable sites.
- Urban natural areas: Identifying and protecting areas of high geophysical or topographic diversity with the expectation that these areas may provide a range of climatic options to species with diverse requirements.
- Developed urban sites: Identifying urban plantings that could serve as refugia.
Strategy
Strategy Text
Refugia are areas that have resisted ecological and climatic changes occurring elsewhere; these areas often provide suitable habitat for relict populations of species that were previously more widespread (Keppel et al. 2012, Millar et al. 2007). Despite their rarity in urban areas, refugia can still be important for species of conservation concern. For many taxa, they may offer the best chances for survival under climate change. Identification of refugia is an important first step toward their conservation under climate change in urban areas.
Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler, P.R.; Handler, S.D.; Shannon, P.D.; Derby Lewis, A.; Hall, K.; Fahey, R.T.; Scott, L.; Kerber, A.; Miesbauer, J.W.; Darling, L.; 2016. Forest Adaptation Resources: climate change tools and approaches for land managers, 2nd ed. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 161 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-87-2