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Graham V, Auld T, Beaumont L, Bell L, Dunford S, Gallagher R, Hancock N, Leishman MR, Mitchell P, Staas L, Hughes L. Embedding biodiversity research into climate adaptation policy and practice. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:4935-4945. [PMID: 34170593 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Addressing climate change risks requires collaboration and engagement across all sectors of society. In particular, effective partnerships are needed between research scientists producing new knowledge, policy-makers and practitioners who apply conservation actions on the ground. We describe the implementation of a model for increasing the application and useability of biodiversity research in climate adaptation policy and practice. The focus of the program was to increase the ability of a state government agency and natural resource practitioners in Australia to manage and protect biodiversity in a changing climate. The model comprised a five-stage process for enhancing impact (i) initiation of research projects that addressed priority conservation policy and management issues; (ii) co-design of the research using a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders; (iii) implementation of the research and design of decision tools and web-based resources; (iv) collaborative dissemination of the tools and resources via government and community working groups; and (v) evaluation of research impact. We report on the model development and implementation, and critically reflect on the model's impact. We share the lessons learnt from the challenges of operating within a stakeholder group with diverse objectives and criteria for success, and provide a template for creating an environmental research program with real world impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Graham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tony Auld
- New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Linda Beaumont
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Linda Bell
- New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanne Dunford
- New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Waverley Council, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachael Gallagher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nola Hancock
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle R Leishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Polly Mitchell
- New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Leigh Staas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lesley Hughes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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