Impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the coastal and marine environments of Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS)

Abstract

The evidence suggests that small islands will be vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR) and increased sea surface temperature (SST). Coastal vegetated wetlands are expected to decrease, and the impact of SST on seagrass and mangrove beds in the Caribbean is uncertain, with some studies indicating potential damage to tropical seagrasses at high temperatures. Shellfish and fisheries, vital resources for SIDS, may be affected by climate change, requiring further research. Increased temperatures and low winds may favor the appearance of Sargassum in the Caribbean. Coral bleaching could become an annual or biannual event within 30 to 50 years unless coral thermal tolerance increases. A 0.5m SLR is projected in the Caribbean, potentially decreasing turtle nesting habitat by 35%. The Indo-Pacific lionfish invasion has increased algal dominance and reduced the resilience of reef communities. Some mitigation plans for climate change effects on biodiversity are being developed, but this work is still in early stages.