Ecosystem Based Approaches for Climate Change Adaptation in Caribbean SIDS

This review i) identifies Caribbean SIDS which highly depend on their marine ecosystems and are particularly vulnerable to climate change related risks and ii) provides a recommendation on SIDS which are most suitable for EbA approaches including restoration and climate change adaptation efforts. The selection was based on an assessment of the most important coastal ecosystems, namely mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs, which can mitigate the consequences of climate change. In particular, the ecosystems’ extent, status, and potential to climate change adaptation (CCA) were assessed. The existence of protected areas and the management of those areas were considered additional assets as they constitute absolute pre‐requisites for any EbA approach addressing restoration efforts, to become successful in the long run.