Building an Accessible and Open-Source Model for Managing Mangroves Under Current and Future Climate Scenarios

Student Researcher

Eitan Gerstle '23, Major: Biology, Major: Marine Science

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Robert Rose and Dr. Sapana Lohani

Project Description

Over the last 15 years, Conservation International has developed a comprehensive approach that combines the protection of nature with sustainable development. Seascapes are large, multi-use marine areas in which coalitions of stakeholders cooperate to conserve (and restore) the diversity and abundance of marine life and to promote human wellbeing and sustainable use of natural resources. Effective place-based conservation and management safeguards biodiversity, replenishes fisheries, provides for the safety and security of people, and enables ecosystems to function as they should. While the connection between sustainable production and protection in a Seascape is well understood, there is a need for more research into how Seascapes promote and build ocean resilience as a critical hedge against climate change. Restoring, protecting, and managing critical marine and coastal ecosystems ensures community resilience to shifting ocean dynamics. This project would explore how Seascapes promote, build and scale climate resiliency.

As the deterioration of our oceans accelerates, we are seeing dramatic impacts on human societies, particularly coastal communities, including food insecurity, inability to access socio-economic benefits, sea-level rise, and storm surges. This research will help to drive the implementation of nature-based solutions at scale with a deliberate objective of enhancing ecosystem-based climate change adaptation and mitigation. This will not only work to improve ecosystem health, but also human wellbeing and community resiliency to climate change impacts.

Seascapes integrate the protection and restoration of nature with sustainable production and use for the benefit of ecosystem health and human wellbeing. As climate change impacts are increasing across the globe and impacting communities, especially vulnerable coastal communities, tools are needed to coordinate efforts across sectors to address effective and equitable outcomes for people and nature. Better understanding how Seascapes work to promote climate resiliency can support regional efforts to build back better through nature-based recovery.

Project ID - Format

22-017-22 - CRP Year

22=-17-23 - Conservation GIS Lab