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Globally and also within the Tropical Andes countries,
biodiversity policies are more aligned with the goals
and strategies of theConventiononBiological Diversity
(CBD) than of the UNFCCC. For example, biodiversity
policies are mainly aimed at conserving species and
landscapes threatened by human activities e.g. land
use. However, biodiversity policies are increasingly
acknowledging the threats of climate change to species,
ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
Opportunities
Climate change is modifying the ranges of species’
habitats and ecological niches, whereby species
are moving to new locations or disappearing when
suitable conditions no longer exist. In this context,
protected areas may not be covering what used to be
habitats and landscapes of endangered species. It is
also possible that such species have moved beyond
the area’s boundaries. This represents an opportunity
for linking conservation and climate change while
revising the location and function of protected areas.
Protected areas – and more specifically, mountain
protected areas – have been identified and are
increasingly recognized, as instruments for climate
change adaptation policies (Dudley et al. 2010;
Hoffmann et al. 2011). Considering the long-term
impact of climate change, it may be worth exploring
how protected areas ought to be selected and
designed, bearing in mind that species’ ranges and
habitats will continue to shift due to climate change.
Furthermore, there is increasing global recognition
of the links between biodiversity and climate change
and the opportunities provided through ecosystem-
Loss of ecosystem functions and biodiversity
based approaches to adaptation to climate change
(EbA), which links the conservation, restoration
and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem
services with climate change adaptation.
Policy gaps
• Adaptation policies have generally not yet included
actions to prevent climate change impacts on
ecosystems and biodiversity (although Peru, for
example, has included EbA within its INDCs).
• Systematic and functional linkage of CBD and
UNFCCC programmes and strategies.
• Insufficient protection of the full range of ecosystem
services contributing to human well-being. This
is more acute in the case of services provided
by mountains, probably based upon the little
recognition of both the services themselves and the
role played by their inhabitants in their maintenance.
• Insufficient recognition of protected areas on
sub-national levels as important instruments for
climate change adaptation.
Flamingos, Uyuni Salt flat, Bolivia