Appendix – Expert surveys
Climatic change scenarios upon which the questionnaires were based. These scenarios
were divided according the field of expertise of the reviewer. They included: terrestrial,
marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Questionnaire introduction: According to the Israel Climate Change Information Center and
despite the differences in predictions of various climate change models, there is general
agreement regarding the following future trends:



Continuing trend of warming in the next few decades at a rate of 0.5 0C per decade
Decrease in the amount of annual rainfall, up to 15%, in the next few decades.
Increase in variability of various rainfall parameters (annual amounts, number of
rainy periods and their intensity, length of rainy season and dry spells). These trends
are marginally significant.
Expert survey for terrestrial ecosystems
Please answer the following questions regarding possible effects of climate change in your
research field and/or in the ecosystems you study.
Please state your research field and/or the principal ecosystems you study:
___________________________________________________________________
Existing knowledge and knowledge gaps
1) In relation to the ecosystem(s) you study, how strong, in your opinion will be the
effects of the following climate change scenarios on biodiversity?
Rank the strength of the effect of the expected change on a scale of 1-5, where
1=weak effect on biodiversity, and 5=significant effect). Mark ? if you do not know
or if you do not have an opinion about a specific effect. If you study more than one
ecosystem please relate to each ecosystem separately (ecosystem 1, ecosystem 2
etc.).
Change
Effect strength
Ecosystem 1 Ecosystem 2
1. Rise in temperature
2. Decrease in precipitation amount
3. Delay in winter rains and
shortening of rainy season
4. Increase in temporal and spatial
climatic variability
5. Increase in frequency of floods
and heat waves
6. Rise in sea level
1
Comments
7. Combination of all above changes
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
2) In relation to the ecosystem you study, what, in your opinion will be the most
significant effects of climate change on biodiversity?
Rank the strength, on a scale of 1-5, of the effect of the expected changes resulting
from climate change, where 1=weak effect ge on biodiversity, and 5=significant
effect, ? = don't know). If you study more than one ecosystem please relate to each
ecosystem separately (ecosystem 1, ecosystem 2 etc.).
Change
Effect strength
Ecosystem 1 Ecosystem 2
Comments
1. Reduction in species' foraging territory
due to variation in environmental
conditions
2. Variation in interspecific interactions
and control by dominant species
3. Competition with invasive species with
high competitive ability
4. Disturbance to interspecific interactions
due to disruption of temporal
compatibility between species (e.g.
relationships between flowers and
pollinators, and between frugivores and
fruit-ripening)
5. Outbreaks of pests, parasites and
diseases
6. Increase in frequency and intensity of
fires
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
3) In your opinion, are there geographic regions or specific ecosystems in Israel with
particular sensitivity to climate change? Rank the level of sensitivity of the following
regions and ecosystems to climate change, where 1=resistant, 5=sensitive, ?=don't
know.
Ecosystems
1. Grasslands and shrublands
2. Mediterranean woodland
3. Coastal plain sands
4. Interior desert sands
5. Planted conifer forest
6. Forest park of Quercus ithaburensis
7. Aquatic habitats
8. Other
9. Other
Ecosystem sensitivity
2
Comments
Regions
1. Golan heights
2. Mediterranean region
3. Mediterranean transition zone
(southern Judean foothills – northern
Negev)
4. Central coastal strip
5. Jordan Valley
6. Negev desert highlands
7. Arava region
8. Large valleys in the southern Negev
9. Eilat mountains
Regional sensitivity
Comments
4) Are there species/ecosystems/processes that may act as indicators of climate
change?
_____________________________________________________________________
5) In which aspects of climate change effects is scientific knowledge lacking, in your
opinion?
_____________________________________________________________________
Please estimate the level of importance of scientific research in the following fields, where
1=low importance, 5=high importance:
Field
1. Response of species to climate change and
prediction of community structure and composition
under different climate change scenarios
2. Assessing species' ability to change their distribution
3. Estimating threats to individual species (e.g. endemic
species or species with economic or cultural value)
4. Effects of climate change on plant and animal
phenology (timing of life cycle events and activity)
5. Estimating the potential for ex situ conservation
under climate change
6. Estimating the potential for in situ conservation
under climate change
7. Estimating ecosystem services provided by natural
ecosystems in Israel
8. Effects of different climate change scenarios on
ecosystem function
9. Estimating thresholds of different climatic variables
(temperature, precipitation, evaporation), which may
destabilize different habitats
10. Consequences of climate change for forest fires
11. Effects of climate change on distribution of
allergens by plants and animals
3
Level of importance
Comments
12. Effects of climate change on behavior of pathogens
and parasites of plants and animals and ways of dealing
with them
6) Name some significant publications related to the effects of climate change in your
field (e.g. studies related to Mediterranean regions).
_____________________________________________________________________
Adaptation to climate change
7) In relation to biodiversity and ecosystem services in the ecosystems you study, is
there a need, in your opinion, for adaptation to expected climate change?
a) Yes
b) No
Please provide a reason
___________________________________________________________________________
8) Below is a list of suggested means for reducing the expected damage to biodiversity
resulting from climate change. Please estimate the effectiveness of these means in
the ecosystem you study, where 1=poor effectiveness, 5=very effective, ?=don't
know.
Means for reducing damage to biodiversity
Level of
effectiveness
1. Active conservation and rehabilitation of natural
ecosystems
2. Habitat management for conservation of
threatened species
3. Creating buffer zones around conservation
areas
4. Creating a network of ecological corridors
according to expected climate changes that will
enable movement of species to more suitable
areas
5. ex situ conservation of species, e.g. in seed
banks and in botanical or zoological gene banks
6. Transfer of species from one place to another
7. Monitoring invasion by alien species
8. Adaptation of forest management
9. Improved enforcement of laws that limit
damage to open landscapes and natural elements
(e.g. limiting spraying of agricultural fields, limiting
construction and development)
10. Developing national policies and strategy
4
Don't
know/comments
11. Founding a center for adaptation to climate
change
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
9) What are the main obstacles to climate change adaptation? Please estimate the
importance of the following obstacles, where 1=insignificant, 5=significant.
Obstacle
1. Lack of public awareness
2. Lack of resources (man power, finance)
3. Lack of cooperation between different bodies
4. Lack of knowledge about the nature of climate
change
Importance
Comments
10) What is the required time frame for an action plan that will enable adaptation of
biodiversity conservation to climate change?
1. Immediately, and up to 5 years
2. 5-10 years
3. 10-20 years
4. More than 20 years
Expert survey for marine ecosystems
Existing knowledge and knowledge gaps
1) How strong, in your opinion will be the effect of the following climate change
scenarios on biodiversity in marine ecosystems?
Rank the strength of the effect of the expected change on a scale of 1-5, where
1=weak effect on biodiversity, and 5=significant effect). Mark ? if you do not know
or if you do not have an opinion about a specific effect.
Change
1. Rise in temperature
2. Decrease in precipitation amount
3. Delay in winter rains and shortening of rainy season
4. Increase in temporal and spatial climatic variability
5. Increase in frequency of floods
6. Increase in frequency of heat waves
7. Increase in storm frequency
8. Change in circulation regimes
9. Rise in UV radiation
10. Rise in sea level
11. Increase in CO2 concentration
12. Combination of all above changes
Effect strength
Comments
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
5
2) In relation to the ecosystem you study, what, in your opinion will be the most
significant effects of climate change on biodiversity?
Rank the strength, on a scale of 1-5, of the effect of the expected changes resulting
from climate change, where 1=weak effect on biodiversity, and 5=significant effect,
? = don't know).
Change
1. Reduction in species' foraging territory due to variation
in environmental conditions
2. Variation in interspecific interactions and control by
dominant species
3. Competition with invasive species with high competitive
ability
4. Changes in life-cycle timing (phenology)
5. Disturbance to interspecific interactions due to
disruption of temporal compatibility between species (e.g.
species migration and resource availability)
6. Outbreaks of pests, parasites and diseases
Effect strength
Comments
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
3) Rank the level of sensitivity of the following zones to climate change, where
1=resistant, 5=sensitive, ?=don't know.
Zone
Sensitivity
Comments
1. Sandy substrate in the tidal zone
2. Sandy substrate up to 30m depth
3. Sandy substrate beyond 30m depth
4. Rocky substrate in the tidal zone
5. Rocky substrate up to 30 depth
6. Rocky substrate beyond 30m depth
7. Coral reef in the Gulf of Eilat
Reasons ____________________________________________________________________
4) Are there species/ecosystems/processes that may act as indicators of climate
change?
_____________________________________________________________________
5) In which aspects of climate change effects is scientific knowledge lacking, in your
opinion?
_____________________________________________________________________
6) Name some significant publications related to the effects of climate change in your
field. Do you know of any relevant studies that have not been published in the
6
professional literature or anywhere else?
_____________________________________________________________________
Adaptation to climate change
7) In relation to biodiversity and ecosystem services in marine ecosystems, is there a
need, in your opinion, for adaptation to expected climate change?
c) Yes
d) No
Please provide a reason
___________________________________________________________________________
8) Below is a list of suggested means for reducing the expected damage to biodiversity
in the face of climate change. Please estimate the effectiveness of these means in
marine ecosystems, where 1=poor effectiveness, 5=very effective, ?=don't know.
Means for reducing damage to biodiversity
Level of
effectiveness
Don't
know/comments
1. Active conservation and rehabilitation of natural
ecosystems
2. Creation of nature reserves for conservation of
threatened species
3. Creating buffer zones around conservation
areas
4. ex situ conservation of species, e.g. in seed
banks and in botanical or zoological gene banks
5. Transfer of species from one place to another
6. Monitoring invasion by alien species
7. Improved enforcement of laws that limit
damage to the marine environment (e.g. limiting
fishing, limiting construction and development)
8. Developing national policies and strategy
9. Founding a center for adaptation to climate
change
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
9) What are the main obstacles to climate change adaptation? Please estimate the
importance of the following obstacles, where 1=insignificant, 5=significant.
Obstacle
1. Lack of public awareness
2. Lack of resources (man power, finance)
3. Lack of cooperation between different bodies
4. Lack of knowledge about the nature of climate
change
7
Importance
Comments
10) What is the required time frame for an action plan that will enable adaptation of
biodiversity conservation to climate change?
5. Immediately, and up to 5 years
6. 5-10 years
7. 10-20 years
8. More than 20 years
Expert survey for freshwater ecosystems
Existing knowledge and knowledge gaps
1) In relation to the ecosystem you study, how strong, in your opinion, will be the
effect of the following climate change scenarios on biodiversity in freshwater
ecosystems?
Rank the strength of the effect of the expected change on 1-5, where 1=weak effect
on biodiversity, and 5=significant effect). Mark ? if you do not know or if you do not
have an opinion about a specific effect.
Change
1. Rise in temperature
2. Delay in winter rains and shortening of rainy season
3. Increase in frequency of floods
4. Reduction in the size of aquatic habitats
5. Salinity
6. Decrease in oxygen concentration
7. Eutrophication
8. Combination of all above changes
Effect strength
Comments
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
2) In relation to the ecosystem you study, what, in your opinion will be the most
significant effects of climate change on biodiversity?
Rank the strength, on a scale of 1-5, of the effect of the expected changes resulting
from climate change, where 1=weak effect on biodiversity, and 5=significant effect,
? = don't know).
Change
1. Reduction in species' foraging territory due to variation
in environmental conditions
2. Variation in interspecific interactions and control by
dominant species (e.g. Rubus (raspberry) and Phragmites
(reeds) along river banks)
3. Competition with invasive species with high competitive
8
Effect strength
Comments
ability
4. Disturbance to interspecific interactions due to
disruption of temporal compatibility between species (e.g.
species migration and resource availability)
5. Outbreaks of pests, parasites and diseases
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
3) In your opinion, are there any specific freshwater ecosystems with particular
sensitivity to climate change (e.g. in a particular geographic area or with particular
characteristics)?
4) List the most sensitive groups (species, genera, orders etc.), in your opinion, to the
expected impacts of climate change, in descending order of sensitivity:
1) _________________________________________________________________
2) _________________________________________________________________
3) _________________________________________________________________
5) List the most suitable indices for monitoring consequences of climate change on
ecosystem function of freshwater ecosystems, in descending order of importance:
1) _________________________________________________________________
2) _________________________________________________________________
3) _________________________________________________________________
6) In which aspects of climate change effects is scientific knowledge lacking, in your
opinion?
_____________________________________________________________________
Adaptation to climate change
7) Assuming that climate change is long-term and unidirectional, is intervention
justified when biodiversity is in danger?
a) Yes
b) No
Please provide a reason
___________________________________________________________________________
8) Below is a list of suggested means for reducing the expected damage to biodiversity
in the face of climate change. Please estimate the effectiveness of these means in
marine ecosystems, where 1=poor effectiveness, 5=very effective, ?=don't know.
Means for reducing damage to biodiversity
Level of
effectiveness
1. A national policy of saving water, in order to
9
Don't
know/comments
reduce pumping from local aquifers and rivers and
from Lake Kinneret
2. Desalination and consequent increased
allocation of water to nature
3. Diverting runoff water to vernal pools
4. Regulation of river flow to maintain natural river
function
5. Planting trees along river banks to increase
shade
6. Management policy for overland runoff and
capture of floodwaters
7. Creating a network of ecological corridors
according to expected climate changes that will
enable movement of species to more suitable
areas
8. ex situ conservation of species, e.g. in seed
banks and in botanical or zoological gene banks
9. Transfer of species from one place to another
10. Monitoring invasion by alien species
11. Improved enforcement of laws that limit
damage to the marine environment (e.g. limiting
spraying of agricultural fields, limiting construction
and development)
12. Developing national policies and strategy
13. Founding a center for adaptation to climate
change
Others: _____________________________________________________________________
9) What are the main obstacles to climate change adaptation? Please estimate the
importance of the following obstacles, where 1=insignificant, 5=significant.
Obstacle
1. Lack of public awareness
2. Lack of resources (man power, finance)
3. Lack of cooperation between different bodies
4. Lack of knowledge about the nature of climate
change
Importance
Comments
10) What is the required time frame for an action plan that will enable adaptation of
biodiversity conservation to climate change?
1. Immediately, and up to 5 years
2. 5-10 years
3. 10-20 years
4. More than 20 years
10