Investigating climate change vulnerability and planning for adaptation: Learning from a study of climate change impacts on the Mountain Gorilla in the Albertine Rift

Abstract

Climate change represents an unprecedented challenge for the conservation and management of endangered species and habitats. Effective climate smart conservation will require robust predictions of vulnerability and future changes, along with the design and prioritisation of effec- tive adaptation planning and management re- sponses that are clearly linked to projected cli- mate impacts. To achieve this goal, conservation managers urgently need practical tools and ap- proaches for vulnerability assessment and ad- aptation planning. This article explores lessons emerging from a recent vulnerability assess- ment and adaptation planning exercise conduct- ed on the impact of climate change for mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). We describe the main findings emerging from this initiative and explore key lessons for climate change vul- nerability assessment and adaptation planning for conservation management. Data limitations were a key factor determining the utility of model outputs and we stress the importance of stake- holder engagement and collaboration through- out the vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning cycle. These findings are of relevance to conservation practitioners seeking to incur- porate climate change considerations into on- going management planning for endangered species conservation.