biodiversity and climate change: avenues for adaptation

Biodiversity and climate change

- Avenues for adaptations

Sarath Ekanayake

Definition of Biodiversity

CBD Article 2

‘The variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are part, including the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.’

Google Earth

Dry forest & Tanks

Submontain forest

Savanna

Throne scrubRain forest and streams

Montain forest

Salt marshes & Mangroves

Sand duns

Ecosystems diversity

Species & variations within species

Role of biodiversity – some examples

High quality forest water feeds 103 main rivers - Millions of people depend

25% tourists visit wild life areas 163,000

livelihoods =

Our energy basket

43.5% Biomass5.7% Hydro power 1400 medicinal

plants

Food fish - 70% of our animal protein supply263,000 livelihoods

Agricultural biodiversity – 33% of our labor force

Global economic value of pollination insects 217 Billion USD

Key points -Sri Lanka is among 34 global biodiversity hot spots-Richness- highest per unit area in Asia-Biodiversity Governance - 30 state institutions90 laws (direct & indirect) 40 MEAs (25 conventions plus protocols, treaties, agreements & amendments)Many policies/strategies/action plans

How biodiversity get impacted by CC?

-Too much water where we don't need-Too little water where we need more-Too much water when we don't need -Too little water when we need more-Too hot everywhere-Salinity???

ISSUESISSUES OF CC

Forest die back

Forest fires

Illigal timber fellings

Invasive plants

Human elephant conflict

(You name it !!!!)

Sea level rise

How can we adapt?

- Identify most vulnerable biodiversity assets- Identify adaptation thrust areas - Plan for short & long term changes- Allocate resources accordingly - Act on ecosystem basis

Basic ideas of Hopkin’s Principles of adapting Biodiversity under CC

- Conserve what you already have- Reduce non-climatic pressures- Develop resilient & diverse ecosystems- Enhance healthy landscape linkages - Make informed decisions- Harmonize adaptation with mitigation & human dimension

Awareness & Capacity Building

Restore degraded areas

International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sri Lanka; 16 July, 2012

Control forest fire

Focus on sustainable timber use, not in destructive manner

Plant trees in available spaces Accommodate some animals in urban landscape

Protect Protect Riverine Riverine forestsforests

International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sri Lanka; 16 July, 2012

Tree dominated home gardens

Use less fire wood

Organic Home garden – reduce food miles, high productivity per ha & no chemical pollution

Go for intensive agriculture

Low productive EXTENSIVE agriculture

International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sri Lanka; 16 July, 2012

END

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