Responding to Climate Change

Climate change is recognized as a core future influence on the natural resources of Eyre Peninsula which puts pressure on native ecosystems, production systems and water resources.

The Eyre Peninsula NRM Plan puts a priority on helping communities to understand, adapt to, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The region includes unique ecosystems and an economy that depends on its natural resources. Climate predictions for the region include a hotter, drier climate with more extreme events, less rainfall and overall less runoff.

There are important synergies between being well positioned for climate change adaptation and best practice regional natural resources management. Investment in the natural resources of the region must consider vulnerability and resilience of these resources to any anticipated climate change that may lead to a warmer and drier region.

The evidence of warming of the Earth’s climate that has been demonstrated by the international scientific community is unequivocal. Measured observations include increases in global average air and ocean temperatures. Adaptation to and managing climate change impacts is no longer a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘how’, ‘where’ and ‘how fast’.

Climate change, and our understanding of it, is evolving rapidly in the real world, and on the scientific, technological and policy fronts. It is critical that policies and decisions are decided on the basis of the best current information and in the knowledge that they will need to be adjusted with time.

1. Responding to climate change on a landscape scale

The Board has a focus on key natural resource assets and communities on Eyre Peninsula which are most at threat from the impacts of climate change. Community education, assisting the implementation of new practices and the use of market based incentives and subsidies will help drive change in these areas to protect the natural resource base and support communities.

Related projects –

  • WildEyre
  • Land Management Tenders
    • Kielpa to Coast Soil Management project
    • Yalanda to Coast Soil Management project
    • Sustainable Grazing of Sheaok Grassy Woodlands

The Yalanda to Coast and Kielpa to Coast Soil Management Projects provide advice and incentives to landholders to achieve:

  • Reduction in erosion risk in both the short and long term by maintaining soil cover levels through improved grazing management
  • Farming systems that better reflect land capability
  • Increased farmer capacity to manage dry seasons
  • More resilient farming systems with greater flexibility to respond to changing climatic conditions

Sustainable Grazing of Sheaok Grassy Woodlands offers landholders in the WildEyre project area of western EP the chance to tender to be paid to improve and conserve these important woodlands on their properties.

2. Climate change response on Eyre Peninsula

EPNRM coordinates, develops and assists in the delivery of a region- wide response to climate change impacts relating to natural resources management on Eyre Peninsula, including assessing vulnerabilities and developing response strategies.

It has developed partnerships with research and development organisations, universities, local government and industry and environmental groups, culminating in Australia’s first Regional Sector Agreement on Climate Change.

Examples of projects

Ground water allocation, planning & management on the EP.  As part of a multi facetted National Water Initiative project model climate downscaling across the EP, this project tested assumptions and made forecasts on the potential impacts of climate change on groundwater recharge.

Survey of township improvements for better planning, with climate change and NRM impacts considered. Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Wudinna, Arno Bay, Coffin Bay & Kimba have been included in this study by students from the University of Adelaide.

Increasing Aboriginal communities’ awareness and understanding of climate change scenarios and their impact on EP communities.

Eyre Peninsula Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment – Pilot Study.  An investigation of the social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change scenarios in three districts on the EP.

Links and Publications

 

To view the Responding to Climate Change  - Eyre Peninsula Research findings 2010 report click on the link or for a copy of the please contact the Port Lincoln office of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board on 8682 7555 or call into the office at 36 Napoleon Street, Port Lincoln.