Knowledge gaps in integrating forest and grassland biodiversity and ecosystems into adaptation strategies

The work summarized in this scoping paper responds to a mandate from the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) to prioritize the thematic area of forests and grasslands and the Adaptation Committee's (AC) invitation to the NWP to address linkages between biodiversity and adaptation. As part of this thematic work, the secretariat collaborated with an expert group on biodiversity and adaptation to assess current knowledge, gaps and challenges, including by reviewing case studies showing where and how biodiversity and ecosystems (with a focus on forest and grassland ecosystems) have been integrated into adaptation strategies at various scales.

This work concludes that the biodiversity and ecosystems of forest and grassland biomes are critical to consider in the synergistic implementation of global agreements on sustainable development, including on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable land management. Recent global assessment reports on biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate change are unequivocal in urging governments to implement ecosystem-based approaches, including nature-based solutions such as conservation, restoration and improved land management in adaptation as well as mitigation. Delays will increase the costs – both adaptation and mitigation costs – to society. Failure to protect biodiversity in forests and grasslands will degrade the capacity of natural systems to buffer society from the impacts of climate change and undermine the provision of ecosystem services essential for sustainable development.