Maintaining and Enhancing Connectivity to Address Climate Change Impacts on Wildlife

Little doubt remains among scientists that humans are changing the global climate system, and that these changes will have far reaching and fundamental impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity (Solomon et al. 2007). Even if atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations were stabilized at year 2000 levels, average global temperature would continue to rise due to lags associated with greenhouse gas absorption by the oceans (Solomon et al. 2007). Therefore, prudence dictates the development of specific conservation and management strategies that help species persist in the face of rapidly changing climate.