Using expert knowledge to develop management actions for Tasmanian lowland native grasslands under climate change

摘要

Climate change projections for Tasmania suggest that the climate in 2070 will be warmer than present, with increasingly variable seasonal rainfall (Grose et al. 2010). Results from climate change modelling suggest that grassland communities may not exist over their current range in the future (Prober et al. 2012). Lowland temperate natural grasslands have been greatly reduced in areal extent since European settlement in the early 1800s. Two 'Lowland temperate native grassland' communities are listedas critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999): Themeda triandra grasslands and Poa labillardieri grasslands. Careful landscape planning for current and potential future grassland habitat is desirable to reduce negative impacts of climate change on natural grasslands.Experts were gathered at a two-day workshop to discuss potential management options for Tasmanian ecosystems at a range of spatial and temporal scales. This paper reports on the discussion of adaptation actions to allow for the long-term survival of natural grasslands species.