Stakeholders’ Knowledge: Effects of Sea Level Rise on Biodiversity and Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Southeast Coast Ramsar, Jersey

The rising sea levels exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change are putting islands, which hold approximately 20% of the Earth’s biodiversity, at risk (Kier et al., 2009). Island ecosystems are the most vulnerable to sea level rise which negatively impacts their populations of native flora and fauna. Sea level rise is projected to increase by 0.5m to 2.3m by the end of 2100. At this alarming rate, low-lying coastal regions are at risk of habitat destruction (Bamunawala, et al., 2021). The predicted disappearance of small islands is just one of several effects of sea level rise.

Other existing effects may become more severe in the future such as the extinction of wildlife (Tilman et al., 2017); dangerous erosion and inundation (Wetzel et al., 2012); damaging floods which decrease coastal regions, destroy properties and worsens infectious diseases (Parker, 2014); Soil salinity which affects organisms that maintain soil quality for agricultural production (Corwin, 2021); loss of recreational beach areas (Scott & Simpson, 2012); forced migration and relocation due to decreased coastline spaces which affect businesses and livelihoods (McAdam et al., 2016); and extreme weather events such as storm surges which cause damage to infrastructure (Arns et al., 2015).