Climate Change and Protected Areas: should we be concerned? Floyd Homer 19 th October, 2002

projected climate change impacts on the caribbean - sealevel rise - storm frequency & intensity - precipitation change - drought - elevated temperature

projected senarios by 2050 VariableLowHigh Sea level↑.08m↑.88m Storms7-10/yr Bad Hurricanes2/yr4/yr Rain↓ 1.5%↑ 13.1% Wind speed↑ 5%↑ 10-15% Temperature↑ 1.4 deg.C↑ 2.0 deg.C

implications for protected areas management monitoring coral health and distribution wetland size and function habitat modification

implications for protected areas management habitat destruction recovery restoration alternate use

implications for protected areas management site selection & design habitat change & species shifts invasive species

implications for protected areas management resources procurement financing expertise allocation

compounding factors - earth movements - land use - habitat degradation - inadequate enforcement - poor protected areas management practices

practical considerations - implementation of existing policy - discharge of national obligations under existing international/regional agreements - effective management of protected areas

Thank You questions, comments, or multiples thereof?