Assisted Migration as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

297-309

Artikel aus einem Buch

200212645

Ecological Connectivity of Forest Ecosystems (2025) , 297-309

In the twenty-first century, the warming climate poses major threats to forest ecosystems. Assisted migration has emerged as a proactive adaptation and conservation strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard biodiversity. This approach comprises the human-assisted movement and dispersal of species and populations to areas predicted to be suitable under future climate conditions. Assisted migration is the subject of much debate in the scientific literature. While it offers potential benefits in terms of promoting biodiversity, sustaining forest productivity, and conserving wildlife habitats, it also raises concerns about invasion potential, hybridization, and unforeseen impacts on ecosystems. Its implementation therefore requires careful scientific assessment, risk analysis, and an ecosystem-based approach. In the following, we discuss not only the pros and cons but also the knowledge gaps and further challenges associated with assisted migration as a tool for combating the impacts of climate change and a strategy for sustainably maintaining climate-adapted and resilient ecosystems.