Can natura 2000 sites benefit from river basin management planning under a changing climate? Lessons from Germany

Abstract

Goals for nature conservation and development are set for several rivers and lakes which are situated within protected areas. Concurrently these areas have to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Between the goals of both scopes there are often synergies but partially conflicts. In addition, climate change, which touches both water management and nature conservation at the same time, has to be taken into account during the river basin management planning, too. Against this background it is discussed in consideration of climate change, how the goals of nature conservation and of the Water Framework Directive can be achieved in such a way that conflicts are avoided to a large extent and synergies used. The following discussion and its results are based on an evaluation of the river basin management plans and programmes of measures in the ten river catchment areas of Germany. Altogether, it can be noticed that potential synergies are already put to good use. However, there are even more unused possibilities for the improvement of the interplay of nature conservation and Water Framework Directive as well as for the consideration of climate change effects.