As pointed out by an EU public release earlier this summer, Europe “is warming at roughly twice the global average rate, making it the fastest-heating continent on Earth”. The severe implications of this unwelcome conclusion have been unmistakably demonstrated in recent months - unprecedented heatwaves, red-level health alerts and national wildfire emergencies. In that sense, the Old Continent is reaping not only devastating environmental consequences as a result of rising temperatures, but also an increase in human illness and even fatality rates.
This grim reality has been a mobilising force for Europe’s research and governance communities as lasting solutions are sought to halt and reverse the effects of the crisis on society and the wider biosphere. The topic of ecosystem resilience has been at the forefront of these efforts at the science-policy interface. A recent and prominent example in this regard is the release of eight BiodivRestore policy briefs, an endeavour led by Biodiversa+ that is grounded in insights from 22 European research projects. The outputs thus build upon a comprehensive retrospective examining restoration science from the past decade to deliver concrete and effective administrative guidance. The timing of this publication is meant to immediately precede the deadline for Member States to submit their draft National Restoration Plans (NRPs) to the European Commission (1 September). Accordingly, the briefs’ conclusions are structured to correspond to the constituent articles of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) and the associated obligations under the NRPs themselves.
For its part, BioAgora has also made contributions to the knowledge base surrounding the resilience of ecosystems in the face of climate-related stressors. Such activities have been pursued as part of the development of an EU Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD), a mechanism for responding to policy needs and priorities with relevant and trusted sources of research expertise. Below are but a few of the prominent outputs generated by or via the project:
-
A synthesis for policy on deadwood and fire risk: Released back in 2023, this brief is a response to a knowledge request by the European Commission as part of the initial stages of the SSBD’s conception. As such, it examines deadwood as both a crucial factor for sustaining biodiversity and as a fuel source for wildfires across European ecosystems. In relation to the former, the synthesis concludes that this resource must be accounted for in environmental management for the vital role it plays in maintaining the health of surrounding flora and fauna communities. With regard to the latter, it is posited that, while deadwood may not usually be a core contributing factor behind wildfire, its sheer quantity as well as that of the finer fuel sources (e.g. branches and needles) surrounding it could lead to a greater incidence for the abiotic stressor. Once again, mitigating this danger is indicated to require a reexamination of conservation techniques, one that seeks to strike a balance between preserving habitats and reducing risk.
-
A research article on the challenges and opportunities in restoring Europe’s free-flowing rivers: A more recent arrival, this output came together in conjunction with the formation of a Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) on freshwater biodiversity, one of several thematic groupings that are meant to inform the science-policy dialogues at the heart of the SSBD. Based on this background and in recognition of the key significance of near-natural or pristine river ecosystems to the Old Continent, the publication delves into established and emerging definitions, perspectives, obstacles and prospects associated with them. Doing so allows the authors to make concrete recommendations for future management and governance. Noteworthy examples in this regard include establishing common points of reference for assessments, integrating both temporal and spatial outlooks in restoration practices and mobilising relevant stakeholders as well as the wider public. All of this is consequently examined through the lens of the realities defining the implementation of the NRR and the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy.
-
A collaborative research agenda for restoring free-flowing rivers: Another publication tied to the Freshwater KEN and building on its aforementioned predecessor, this article aims to put forward a prioritisation framework that would guide scientific endeavour targeting the revitalisation of this river habitat type. A foundation on the path to that goal is a synthesis of expert input from 45 countries, an effort providing clarity on which lines of inquiry and analysis must take precedence. Nevertheless, universality is not touted as an underlying solution - instead, the paper argues that any unifying approach to prioritising research in EU Member States must be adaptable to local circumstances and issues. With this prerequisite in mind, the authors consolidate an agenda that is both ambitious in scope yet suited to diverging contexts.
By way of further reading, the compendia of knowledge requests and publications on the BioAgora website shed more light on the project’s wider role in consolidating expertise on resilience and restoration.