Climate Sentinels Research Program: Developing Indicators of the Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity in the Region of New Aquitaine (South West, France)

Abstract

Understanding local effects of climate change on biodiversity are essential for environmental policy orientation. Lacks of knowledge at regional level have led to the development of a research program: “Climate sentinels” (www.sentinelles-climat.org ). A research hypothesis is that the effects can be studied from indicators of species that have weak displacement. These “sentinel” species will be the first to respond to local climatic variations by adaptation or local extinction. In France, New Aquitaine region is a relevant research laboratory. It offers both sensitivity to climate change and a variety of natural ecosystems. The approach to understanding the response of these indicators to climate change is based on observations in a whole region, standardized protocols in relationship with models using mainly abundance data, validated data linked to associated sufficient coverage and relevant observations in connection with time and space scales. In this paper, we will present 3 points characterizing this project: (1) the research-action approach of the program brings together different types of actors (decision makers, naturalists, managers, researchers and the public), within an independent organisation and catalyst “Cistude Nature”, (2) the method of establishing a list of development indicators called “Climate sentinels”, (3) the protocols and data analysis of multi-ecosystems, multi-species at different scales that are used to support projections of climate change impacts on biodiversity. The aim is to share feedback on this topic concerning the structuring of the program at the interface between science and society.