European Protected Area Managers Adapt to Climate Change Amid Funding Gaps

A large-scale survey of Natura 2000 protected-area managers across the European Union found that more than 50 % regard climate change as a threat to biodiversity. The majority of respondents reported incorporating climate-change considerations into their management plans, with particular concern for rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. Regional differences emerged: managers in Mediterranean sites expressed higher levels of concern than those in Boreal regions such as Finland.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

Natura 2000, the EU’s largest network of protected areas, has historically aimed to maintain ecosystems in historical conditions. The accelerating pace of climate change challenges this static approach, prompting a shift toward dynamic adaptation strategies.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

The study was led by Giorgio Zavattoni, a doctoral researcher at the University of Turku, with contributions from Professor Jon Brommer (University of Turku) and Dr Elie Gaget of the Tour du Valat institute, France. The Commission issued guidance on Natura 2000 and climate change.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

• Over half of managers see climate change as a biodiversity threat and incorporate impacts on temperature and precipitation into planning.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

• Vulnerable managers are more likely to adopt adaptation measures.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

The European Commission released guidance clarifying legal flexibilities in the Birds and Habitats Directives, emphasizing strategic planning and practical adaptation measures for Natura 2000 sites. The guidance aims to help managers shift from resistance-focused to dynamic adaptation.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

Survey participants highlighted two obstacles: insufficient scientific knowledge for cost-effective adaptation actions and limited financial resources to implement them. These constraints were barriers to fully operationalising the Commission’s guidance.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

• “Climate change is not equally perceived as a threat throughout Europe, for example managers in the Mediterranean region are more concerned than managers in the Boreal region, where for example Finland is located,” — Giorgio Zavattoni, Doctoral Researcher, University of Turku, Finland

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

• “It was encouraging to see that over half of the managers consider the effect of climate change in their conservation management strategies, not only by trying to resist its effect but also by dynamically adapting to climate change and acknowledging that it transforms ecosystems,” — Jon Brommer, Professor, University of Turku

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

• “This guidance is welcome, because our study points out that many protected area managers are eager to learn more about the implementation of adaptation strategies,” — Dr Elie Gaget, Tour du Valat, France

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

• “However, managers also flagged the lack of scientific knowledge and financial resources to implement cost-effective climate adaptation strategies,” — Dr Elie Gaget, Tour du Valat, France

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change

The authors call for increased research that delivers actionable knowledge to managers, alongside enhanced funding mechanisms and capacity-building programmes to support the implementation of climate-adaptation measures across Natura 2000 sites.

Protected area managers across Europe are adapting to climate change