Integrating Climate Risk Information to Climate-Smart Marine Protected Areas and Coastal Management in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) Region

Lead PI: Manishka Jeevani De Mel

Unit Affiliation: Center for Climate Systems Research (CCSR)

September 2018 - December 2020
Inactive
Central America ; Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System ; Belize ; Guatemala ; Honduras ; Mexico
Project Type: Research

DESCRIPTION: The objective of the project is to provide climate risk information and climate science support to Climate-Smart Marine Protected Areas and Coastal Management in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) Region, for a reginal project led by World Wildlife Fund. Coastal and marine resources in the MAR region provide essential ecosystem services, sustain key economic sectors (esp. fisheries and tourism), support the livelihoods of more than two million people and contribute to the protection of coastal communities against adverse effects of climate change. At the same time, the Caribbean coastlines of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras are among the most vulnerable regions worldwide to climate change impacts. Climate projections and the integration of this information into marine and coastal risk assessments and activities provide a guide for planners to manage and minimize the negative impacts of climate change on these systems. By understanding the local impacts that climate change will have on these ecosystems, the resilience of the marine and coastal ecosystems can be improved.

OUTCOMES: 1. Localized climate projections to support adaptation activities and natural capital assessments in the project region

2. Co-lead workshops in the project regions to co-generate climate risk information with project stakeholders

3. Guidance on using climate risk information for project activities

4. Climate risk assessment for the Mesoamerican reef region

SPONSOR:

World Wildlife Fund, U.S.

ORIGINATING SPONSOR:

Federal Ministry for the Environment Germany

FUNDED AMOUNT:

$25,000

PUBLICATIONS:

Blog: Scientists Work to Build Climate Change Resilience in Caribbean Coral Reef

KEYWORDS

climate risk biodiversity marine zones coral reefs oceans ecosystems

THEMES

Modeling and Adapting to Future Climate