Methods for selecting places at regional scales to conserve biodiversity have advanced in recent decades. However, with a rapidly changing climate, new methods will be required to adapt as ecosystems change. Ecoregional planning steps are reviewed, and potential alternatives are identified for adapting to climate change. Common planning steps include defining the planning region, selecting focal targets, mapping target distributions, assessing current conditions, establishing representation objectives, designing regional scenarios, identifying conservation strategies, and measuring success of regional plans. Since decisions that are implemented today will be revisited into the future, an iterative approach of increasing frequency is required.
Ecoregional Planning and Climate Change Adaptation
The Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene
Citation
Patrick J. Comer