Following our symposia on evidence-based conservation (2008) and primate conservation (2009),
the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation has selected the impact of climate change on
animal and plant species as the topic for this year’s symposium, in particular to highlight the urgency
of effective mitigation measures to protect whole groups of species from the imminent danger of
extinction. We aim to bring together experts on various species groups and evaluate the level of
threat that climate change imposes on those groups, and suggest possible mitigation scenarios. We
will place special emphasis on the potential role of zoos, aquaria and botanical gardens in helping
mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
Invited speakers include:
Simon Stuart (International Union for the Conservation of Nature)
Belinda Hawkins (Botanic Gardens Conservation International)
Paul Pearce-Kelly (Zoological Society of London)
Oliver Watts (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)
Matthew Hatchwell (Wildlife Conservation Society)
Andrew Hartley (Met Office, Hadley Centre)
The one-day symposium will be held in the Clifton Pavilion at Bristol Zoo Gardens, starting at 10.00
am and finishing at 5.30 pm. Registration fees are £65 per person (before October 1st) and £45 for
students, and includes a buffet-style lunch as well as coffee/tea breaks between the sessions and
entry to Bristol Zoo Gardens. A list of accommodation in Bristol is available on request.
To register, to submit a poster abstract or to find out more, please check our website
www.bcsf.org.uk, or send an email to sdow@bristolzoo.org.uk.
Yours faithfully
Sue Dow
Research Officer
Bristol Conservation Science Foundation
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Clifton
Bristol Zoo, BS8 3HA
UK
Species Conservation in a Changing Climate
Some of the most wide-ranging threats to biodiversity originate from the impacts of climate change,
which can affect a wide range of species from polar bears to sea sponges. The global surface
temperature has risen by approximately 0.6oC over the 20th century, and the current global average
temperature is higher than any previous levels over the last 420,000 years. Without mitigation, it is
predicted that temperatures will be between 1.1 and 6.4oC warmer by the end of the century (IPCC,
2007). However, climate change is already having a serious effect on the environment, and even
seemingly small increases of 1-3oC in global mean temperature as well as associated changes in
precipitation will have significant and largely detrimental impacts on biodiversity.
Climate change is expected to involve alterations in temperature and precipitation, in ocean level,
acidity and circulation, in the timing of the seasons, and in the frequency and severity of extreme
weather events. This can lead to major threats to animal and plant species, such as loss of habitat
and food resources. Many species of plants and animals have been found to be moving in the same
direction as the climate, either in space or in time. For example, species are shifting their ranges
towards the north and south poles following warmer weather patterns, loggerhead turtles have
changed their nesting times in response to rising sea temperatures, and spring flowers are
blossoming earlier in the year. As climatic conditions often determine species distributions, the
natural geographic range of species will change in response to climatic change. However, many
species will not be able to reach places where the climate is suitable, as many habitats are
surrounded by inhospitable urbanised environments, and species living on islands, highlands and on
the ends of landmasses may be unable to move to follow the optimum climatic conditions needed to
satisfy their food and habitat requirements.
Following our symposia on evidence-based conservation (2008) and primate conservation (2009),
the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation has selected the impact of climate change on
animal and plant species as the topic for this year’s symposium. This will highlight the urgency of
effective mitigation measures to protect whole groups of species from the imminent danger of
extinction. We aim to bring together experts on various species groups, evaluate the level of threat
that climate change imposes on those groups and suggest possible mitigation scenarios. We will
place special emphasis on the potential role of zoos, aquaria and botanical gardens in helping
mitigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
Call for poster abstracts
In addition to the oral presentations by invited speakers, participants are invited to submit abstracts
for posters to be presented at the symposium. These should be relevant to the topic of climate
change and species conservation.
The deadline for abstract submission is October 1st 2010. Abstracts will only be considered if the
registration fees have been received.
Abstract guidelines
Content and format should be as follows:
Content: The abstract should state the main objectives, hypothesis tested, location of study, species,
sample size, results and conclusions in a single paragraph.
Format: Maximum length 500 words; use 10pt Arial font. Mention title, author(s), affiliations
(including full institutional address, telephone contact number, email address of corresponding
author) and up to five key words.
Please email the abstract as a word document, together with your registration to
sdow@bristolzoo.org.uk
Posters
Posters should be in A0 OR A1 portrait format (maximum 119.2cm height x 84.4cm width).
Landscape format can also be displayed, but please let the organisers know in advance.