Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Marine and Coastal Areas

Lynne Zeitlin Hale Global Coastal and Ocean Forum May, 2010

Adaptation is already a necessity – need and cost increasing Sea level rise The World Bank estimates coastal management and defense as the most costly component of adaptation: $30 billion/year for developing countries

When Coastal Ecosystems are Lost

PEOPLE LOSE

Ecosystems provide important services that need to be maintained: • • • • •

Food Protection Health Income Culture

Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) Management interventions that: – Increase ecosystem and social resilience • • Better survival, faster recovery More fish, tourism income, cleaner water – Increase ability of coastal systems to provide protection from sea level rise and storms • Reduced erosion, wave dissipation, storm surge – Reduce costs of adaptation to climate change • Natural systems with self-maintenance and multiple benefits EBA needs to be integrated within sustainable development and comprehensive adaptation plans

Helping Coastal Nations and Communities Reduce their Vulnerability and Adapt • Visualize future problems & scenarios • Provide decision support for adaptation and resilience • Identify management actions that can be taken (science) • Apply solutions • Learn • Communicate • Build Capacity

Visualize future problems & scenarios; Provide decision support Choisseul, Solomon Islands Long Island, New York, USA

Managing for Ecosystem Resilience

Coral reefs

1998...a wake-up call

Enhance Ecosystem Resilience

TNC Resilience Model

Representation and Replication Habitat Types Multiples Risk Spreading Critical Areas Refugia Spawning Aggregations Secure Sources of Seed Transport Connectivity Replenishment Effective Management Threat Abatement Adaptive Strategies Strong Recruitment Enhanced Recovery RESILIENCE

Share Climate-Smart Management Approaches (www.reef resilience.org)

Global Outreach

Hawaii Florida Keys Bahamas Lesser Antilles Meso-American Reef Micronesia Coral Triangle Indian Ocean

Solutions: “Green” Infrastructure: Cost effective shoreline protection Mangroves, marshes, shellfish reefs • Baffle waves • Reduce erosion • Bind sediments • Trap new sediments • Support active accretion • Prevent mass movement of debris during storms

Habitat Restoration for Coastal Protection: Shellfish reefs Largely extirpated habitat Ongoing research at 40+ sites shows oyster reefs: • Reduce erosion • Improve water quality • Create habitat • Support fisheries

www.nature.org/shellfish

Habitat Restoration for Coastal Protection: Mangroves Threatened Habitat but 25% protected Restoration possible; Bangladesh:148,500 ha •Indonesia: 48,923 ha •Philippines:44,000 ha •Vietnam: 67,637 ha

Rising to the Challenge

•Adaptation funding should prioritize coastal areas •Integrate and prioritize Ecosystem-based Adaptation within development planning and national adaptation plans •Clarify relative costs and effectiveness of green vs. grey infrastructure for coastal hazard protection •Integrate climate change consideration in hazard mitigation and response plans •Consider impacts of “hard” and sectoral adaptation measures on coastal and marine ecosystems Take action now – on mitigation and adaptation