Open AccessReconciling Development and Conservation under Coastal Squeeze from Rising Sea Level
Author(s) -
Mills Morena,
Leon Javier X.,
Saunders Megan I.,
Bell Justine,
Liu Yan,
O'Mara Julian,
Lovelock Catherine E.,
Mumby Peter J.,
Phinn Stuart,
Possingham Hugh P.,
Tulloch Vivitskaia J. D.,
Mutafoglu Konar,
Morrison Tiffany,
Callaghan David P.,
Baldock Tom,
Klein Carissa J.,
HoeghGuldberg Ove
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12213
Subject(s) - environmental resource management , adaptation (eye) , climate change , marine spatial planning , environmental planning , spatial planning , ecosystem services , scale (ratio) , business , ecosystem , geography , environmental science , ecology , physics , cartography , optics , biology
Among the biggest global challenges for policymakers is the development of land use policies robust to climate change impacts. While diverse fields can inform adaptation, integrated social‐ecological assessment of the multiple adaptation options are rare and cannot be easily applied. Here, we build on past studies by undertaking an integrated fine scale and strategic allocation of sea level rise (SLR) adaptation options that can direct policy making. We use models of probabilistic SLR inundation, urban growth, and sub‐ and intertidal ecosystem migration, to investigate the impacts of different SLR adaptation strategies, and how these can be allocated to best achieve both development and conservation goals. Coastal adaptation will involve trade‐offs among development and conservation objectives and these will vary based on the extent to which sea levels rise. There will be trade‐offs between conservation objectives regardless of the adaptation options chosen, however, retreat does provide opportunities for enabling the expansion of coastal ecosystems inland. Local governments can save billions of dollars and minimize political conflict between conservation and development goals through integrated strategic spatial planning. Our planning approach both informs policy and is transferable to other coastal regions faced with a rising sea.