Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Protected Habitats

Abstract

This chapter deals with several potential effects of climate change, addressed to Natura 2000 habitats from the following categories: woodlands, grasslands, brushwoods, rocky habitats, coastal and dune habitats, surface water habitats, peat bogs and moorlands. For these categories seven impact classes were identified: seasonal impact, sea level rise, hydrology, soil, extreme events, CO2 concentration, cumulative effects that change the quality of environmental conditions. The chapter provides information and examples regarding the actual and anticipated types of impacts on Natura 2000 habitats and underlines some trends which can be predicted for the future.