52. Great Western Woodlands

Organised by Suzanne Prober of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and Kevin Thiele of Dept of Environment and Conservation, WA, to be held at CSIRO Floreat, Perth. First meeting held 18 - 20 November 2008

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE Suzanne Prober - CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Kevin Thiele - Dept Environment and Conservation, WA Alexander Watson - The Wilderness Society Sandy Berry - Australian National U Barry Traill - Pew Environment Group Kerrie Wilson - U Queensland Phil Rundel - U California LA, USA Harry Recher - Edith Cowan U Paul Flemons - Australian Museum Paula Deegan - Gondwana Link Tom Lyons, Murdoch University Grant Wardell-Johnson, Curtin University John Scott, CSIRO Entomology Craig McFarlane, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Les Christidis, Australian Museum Paul Bowers, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts Ian Herford, Department of Environment and Conservation Colin Yates, Department of Environment and Conservation

Nov 08 >

The Implications of Climate Change for Australia’s National Reserve System report released recently by CSIRO (Dunlop & Brown 2008) concluded that land managers across Australia need to facilitate adjustment of ecosystems and species to predicted changes in climate. Development of frameworks or protocols for adaptation of biodiversity management in a changing climate, however, has received little research attention. Many studies aim to predict or detect changes in species distributions, but relatively few studies attempt to understand likely responses and adaptive management at site and landscape scales. Such studies are necessary to help managers respond on the ground. This working group aims to consider how current knowledge informs options for adaptive management in real landscapes, focusing on SW WA, and to identify research priorities targeting development of adaptive management options.

The first meeting of this working group was held on 18-20 November 2008. Two initial outcomes were agreed upon:

1) To develop a research protocol that addresses key questions facing managers of the Great Western Woodlands. This 16 M ha area arguably supports the world’s largest remaining intact temperate woodland, and this intactness should place it in a good position to adapt to climate change. However it occurs in a marginal rainfall zone for woodlands and important concerns include ecosystem transformation through reduced winter and spring rainfall and increased intensity and extent of wildfires. The research portfolio focuses on climate adaptation in these woodlands, and a unique opportunity to compare climate-related issues in the intact Great Western Woodlands and the adjacent, fragmented WA wheatbelt.

2) To prepare a manuscript highlighting the Great Western Woodlands and applying existing knowledge to assess likely impacts of climate change and potential adaptation options in intact landscapes.

Last Updated November 2008