N A T U R E I M P R O V E M E N T A R E A GREATER THAMES MARSHES Climate Adaptation Action Plan

Workshop Outputs Workshop Summary –2pg summary document Detailed Adaptation Action Plan –Covers all identified impacts of climate change –Including indirect impacts (although there are areas where we need wider consultation with external organisations) –Identifies gaps in our knowledge –Informs future projects What else? –At workshop there was a call for a single message on climate change which we can all take away with us to help communicate issues

A word on climate change “Warming of the global climate is now unequivocal” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR5 Working Group I – September 2013

Expected Climate Change

Impacts of a changing climate

Developing climate adaptation Things to consider: –Ongoing –Action now –Change –Uncertainty –Working with others

Key Findings: Current Delivery Current Delivery –Landscape-scale conservation principles have adaptation at core –Targeted management at core sites –Flood and coastal erosion risk management programmes (e.g. TE2100) –Maintenance and management of designated sites (SPAs, SSSIs, etc)

Key Findings: Resource Management Resource Management – Water –Changing rainfall patterns will have serious implications on conservation (wetlands) in medium to long term

Key Findings: Dynamic Species Dynamic Species Interactions –Shifting species envelopes –Changing seasonality and species interaction –Ecosystem impacts

Key Findings: Sea Level Rise Rising Sea Levels –Transforming the shape of the Estuary – need to maintain balance between saline and freshwater ecosystems –Impact on recreational access and enjoyment of the coast

Key Findings: Indirect Impacts Indirect Impacts –Early planning increases opportunities to deliver multiple objectives, including for biodiversity, into adaptation measures

Workshop Outputs

Where Next?

N A T U R E I M P R O V E M E N T A R E A GREATER THAMES MARSHES M O R E. B I G G E R. B E T T E R. J O I N E D.