Guide to Biodiversity Stress Tests

Increasing drought, heat and waterlogging as a result of climate change exert an ever-greater impact on our lives and on nature. This first Guide to Biodiversity Stress Tests (pdf, 3.6 MB) helps government bodies to conduct a stress test for biodiversity outside protected nature reserves.

For whom?

The Guide is intended for government authorities and managing bodies embarking on climate stress tests that wish to gain insight into the vulnerability of their area’s biodiversity.

How can the Guide be used?

This Guide sets out the steps you need to take to properly conduct a Biodiversity Stress Test. For areas other than protected nature reserves, it offers a standard method for mapping out the vulnerability of their biodiversity to climate change. The full stress test comprises three levels: an initial analysis, a general analysis and a detailed analysis. This first Guide only focuses on conducting the initial analysis.

Wherever possible, the Guide uses the same points of departure as the existing guides to stress tests aimed at drought, heat, flooding, waterlogging and water quality. It is practical and easy to read, even for those without extensive ecological knowledge. The outcomes of the initial analysis can be used as the basis for a risk dialogue.

The Biodiversity Stress Test is based on the concepts of the Basiskwaliteit Natuur (Basic Quality of Nature, BKN) knowledge document and shows the effects of climate change. Thus, the stress test supplements the existing DPRA climate stress tests. Use the Guide to Water Quality Stress Tests for the aquatic sections of nature.

Who has developed the Guide?

The Guide to Biodiversity Stress Tests has been developed by Witteveen+Bos consultants, on the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.