Fragility of arctic goose habitat: impacts of land use, conservation and elevated temperatures

Objective

The tundra is a vulnerable ecosystem. Damage would result in it turning from a carbon sink into a carbon source, thus adding to current climate warming. The numbers of geese breeding in the tundra have been increasing for 40 years and will continue to increase, largely due to protective measures and changes in agricultural practice in NW Europe where they spend the winter. Evidence from other parts of the world suggests that tundra ecosystems can be severely damaged if overgrazed for extended periods. In addition, effects of climate change, will also provide pressures of change for tundra ecosystems. The proposed project will assess the tundra's vulnerability to these cumulative pressures and define thresholds beyond which irreparable damage will occur. The project will provide tools and make recommendations to facilitate the managed protection of the tundra by EC and appropriate stakeholders.

Programme(s)

• FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.4.-2. - Key action Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY

Address

Korringaweg 7
4400AC Yerseke
Netherlands

Participants (12)

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

Route De Mende 1919
34293 Montpellier

EVIN - INSTITUTE OF NATURE CONSERVATION

Belgium

Address

Kliniekstraat 25
1070 Brussel

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Denmark

Address

Kalo Grenaavej 12
8410 Roende

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

United Kingdom

Address

Hill Of Brathens
AB31 4BY Banchory(kincardinshire)

NORWEGIAN FOUNDATION FOR NATURE RESEARCH AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RESEARCH

Norway

Address

The Polar Environment Center
9296 Tromsoe

THE UNIVERSITY COURSES ON SVALBARD

Norway

Address

9171 Longyearbyen

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN

Belgium

Address

Place L. Pasteur 3 Mercator
1348 Louvain-la-neuve

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

United Kingdom

Address

Cruickshank Building, St. Machar Drive
AB24 3UU Aberdeen

UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN

Netherlands

Address

Kerklaan 30
9750 NN Haren Gn

UNIVERSITY OF OSLO

Norway

Address

Moltke Moes Vei 32
0316 Oslo

UNIVERSITY OF TROMSOE

Norway

Address

Breivika
9037 Tromsoe

WILDFOWL AND WETLANDS TRUST

United Kingdom

Address

Slimbrige
GL2 7BT Gloucester