• Energy Research

Global Biodiversity Target Missed In 2002, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) committed to a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. There has been widespread conjecture that this target has not been met. Butchart et al. (p. 1164 , published online 29 April) analyzed over 30 indicators developed within the CBD's framework. These indicators include the condition or state of biodiversity (e.g., species numbers, population sizes), the pressures on biodiversity (e.g., deforestation), and the responses to maintain biodiversity (e.g., protected areas) and were assessed between about 1970 and 2005. Taken together, the results confirm that we have indeed failed to meet the 2010 targets.

This paper explores the utility of qualitative scenario approaches to examine the potential impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity conservation on the east coast of Australia. This region is large and diverse, with considerable variation in marine biodiversity and, concomitantly, considerable diversity in the likely impacts from climate change. The results reinforce a number of key points. Engaging with stakeholders in scenario planning provides not only a focus to discuss the future in a disciplined way, but also provides ongoing reference points for contemporary decision making and planning. The paper illustrates how qualitative scenario planning provides opportunities to address the challenges of marine biodiversity conservation in a changing environment.

Protected areas face a suite of impacts from anthropogenic climate change and land use change, and current management approaches may not conserve these areas adequately as these changes occur. Most protected areas require the cooperation and support of local communities and an understanding of stakeholder values and perspectives. Collaborative approaches to management are most likely when there are shared perspectives on key issues. A survey and series of interviews were conducted in the Scenic Rim region in southeast Queensland, Australia, to gain an understanding of the public's and natural resource managers' perceptions of climate change, likely impacts on the local natural environment and management of protected areas. The community, protected area neighbours and park managers in the Scenic Rim had a good understanding of climate change and its likely impacts and were concerned about the natural environment. Managers' perceptions were largely aligned with the perceptions of the local community, but wi...