Climate change and lakeshore conservation: a model and review of management techniques

Climate change is expected to cause significant changes to the hydrology of lakes, reservoirs and other wetlands. In particular, there will be an increase in the level of disturbance produced by water-level fluctuations. This may have adverse consequences for biodiversity, water quality and human uses. Strategies to cope with these climate change impacts are currently poorly developed. This article proposes the use of Grime’s CSR theory as a framework to understand the potential impacts of climate change on shoreline vegetation. It is also used to recommend a series of practical management techniques that will contribute to the adaptation capacity of shoreline ecosystems. Four key areas are highlighted: hydrological controls, substrate conditions, shoreline topography and vegetation establishment.