There are many different approaches to increasing connectivity, ranging from increasing the overall area of suitable habitat to 'corridors' and 'stepping stones', with different strategies likely to be more effective for different species and circumstances . Connectivity can also be important in increasing the resilience of populations to extreme climatic events . Within freshwater environments, the connectivity of watercourses is essential. Fluvial corridors are necessary to ensure the survival of migrating fish populations, even without climate change; with climate change, connectivity becomes crucial for relatively cold-adapted organisms to migrate upstream to colder areas. Connectivity is also important for the larvae of benthic invertebrates to be able to drift downstream and hence to disperse ; for adult benthic invertebrates, riparian and terrestrial habitat features can potentially affect dispersal. Connectivity within river and wetland systems for some species can also mediated by more mobile animal species such as fish and birds . Which factors are the most important in either promoting their colonisation of new sites or persisting in situ will differ between species and locations. Some general principles have been recognised and can guide conservation policy and practice , but this will often require additional investigation and planning based on an individual understanding of the niches of specific species.
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report