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Integrating Climate and Ocean Change Vulnerability into Conservation Planning

Published Article

Global

Publication date: October 31, 2012

File format: URL

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Tropical coastal and marine ecosystems are especially vulnerable to ocean warming, acidification, and sea-level rise, yet these threats are rarely integrated into conservation planning. This study outlines how existing climate and ocean data and tools can be used to assess vulnerability, identify gaps, and improve conservation strategies for ecosystems and dependent communities.

Subject Tags

  • Climate adaptation
  • Conservation Planning
  • Climate resilience

Abstract

Tropical coastal and marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to ocean warming, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise. Yet these projected climate and ocean change impacts are rarely considered in conservation planning due to the lack of guidance on how existing climate and ocean change models, tools, and data can be applied. Here, we address this gap by describing how conservation planning can use available tools and data for assessing the vulnerability of tropical marine ecosystems to key climate threats. Additionally, we identify limitations of existing tools and provide recommendations for future research to improve integration of climate and ocean change information and conservation planning. Such information is critical for developing a conservation response that adequately protects these ecosystems and dependent coastal communities in the face of climate and ocean change.

Citation

McLeod, E., Green, A., Game, E., Anthony, K., Cinner, J., Heron, S. F., ... & Woodroffe, C. (2012). Integrating climate and ocean change vulnerability into conservation planning. Coastal Management, 40(6), 651-672.

TNC Authors

  • Elizabeth McLeod
    Global Director, Oceans. Global Oceans
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: emcleod@tnc.org

  • Edward Game
    Sr. Lead Scientist & Director of Conservation, AP. Asia Pacific Office
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: egame@tnc.org

  • Steve Schill
    Director of Science and Strategy. Caribbean
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: sschill@tnc.org

  • Rodney Salm & Alison Green
    The Nature Conservancy