Voluntary Step-by-Step Guide for considering Potential Climate Change Effects on Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Projects
AIMED AT: Project applicants PURPOSE: To assist experts to consider potential climate change impacts GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: US TECHNICAL AREA: Coasts, conservation, estuaries BASIC STRUCTURE: Coastal areas historically have been the preferred geography for human settlements and development, and coastal ecosystems are one of the most degraded natural systems because of this social trend. Climate change is forecasted to exacerbate current environmental degradation and further alter coastal landscapes, as coastal areas and ecosystems are some of the more vulnerable places to climate change. The guide proposes a 7-step process for considering potential impacts of climate change: Step 1: Identify conservation targets; Step 2: Identify key ecological attributes: Step 3: Identify existing non- climate stressors on key ecological attributes; Step 4: Identify projected climate stressors/impacts; Step 5: Evaluate climate effects on conservation targets; Step 6: Identify long-term management goals and objectives; Step 7: Formulate a long- term management plan. Each step is described with an example, why the step is important, how to use it and helpful resources.
Voluntary Step-by-Step Guide for considering Potential Climate Change Effects on Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Projects.pdf
