Terrestrial Biodiversity Adaptation Research Network

Riparian Ecosystems and Climate Change – vulnerabilities, impacts, and adaptation

This workshop was held from the 20-24th of June 2011 at Crabclaw Island, Norther Territory and was convened by Dr Sam Capon and Dr Stephen Williams. Experts from a variety of backgrounds including ecology, biogeochemistry, social science and economy attended the workshop producing an integrated holistic approach to the topic.

The key areas that received focus included; a cohesive definition of riparian zones that encompasses variations of riparian zones in all forms; the key values of riparian zones and the goods and services that they provide; likely vulnerabilities and potential impacts of climate change on riparian zone structure and function; adaptation options with respect to these vulnerabilities; and areas that require immediate actions.

From these topics, a synthesis paper on the workshop discussions and six paper outputs have been developed. The outcomes of this workshop will assist towards the appropriate management of riparian zones, avoiding perverse solutions or mal-adaptation of these highly vulnerable systems.

The primary published paper from this workshop is;

1. Capon et al.(2013) Riparian ecosystems in the 21st century: hotspots for climate change adaptation? Ecosystems. DOI:10.1007/s10021-013-9656-1

2. Catford et al (2012) Predicting novel riparian ecosystems in a changing climate. Ecosystems. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-012-9566-7