Anguilla’s coastal ecosystems, including the island’s coral reefs, seagrass beds, sand dunes, and mangroves provide us with vital protection from storms and sea level rise. However, in recent years Anguilla’s coastal habitats have suffered significant degradation due, in part, to the destructive effects of severe storms such as Hurricane Irma in 2017, illegal sand mining activities, and uncontrolled coastal development.
Global climate change forecasts predict an increase in the frequency of severe storms occurring in the region and raise concerns about the risk of sea level rise to low-lying Caribbean islands. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recommended that small island states, such as Anguilla, should focus their efforts on enhancing their resilience to climate-related disasters and implement appropriate adaptation measures as urgent priorities. In response to this, in 2019, the Department of Disaster Management with the
Department of Natural Resources and the Anguilla National Trust were awarded UK Darwin Plus funding to implement a project aimed at improving Anguilla’s coastal ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Working with UK-based environmental consultancy Environment Systems Ltd, an ecosystem modelling approach was applied to identify and prioritise key coastal habitats for restoration activities that would make the most impact in terms of reducing flood risk to homes and the island’s infrastructure. As a first step, flood risk maps were created to highlight the most vulnerable areas of Anguilla’s coastline (Map 1).
As a second step, maps were then created that identified areas around Anguilla’s coastline that are suitable for habitat restoration activities. For example, in the case of mangrove restoration, sea depth, slope, and proximity to other mangrove stands were considered as factors influencing whether or not mangrove restoration was possible.
As a third and final step, through our modelling, the effect that habitat restoration would have on reducing flood risk to local communities was predicted (Map 2 and Map 3 focus on Cove Bay as an example).
Based on the modelling work, project partners have been able to prioritise coastal sites for restoration work and, to date, more than 924 mangrove seedlings, 184 buttonwood, and 84 seagrape trees have been planted in collaboration with community groups and youth organisations. In the long-term, partner agencies will continue to work to protect and preserve Anguilla’s coastal habitats for the benefit of the people and biodiversity of Anguilla.
For more information on this project and to find out how you can be involved please contact the Department of Disaster Management at 497 2926, the Department of Natural Resources at 497 0217, or the Anguilla National Trust at 235 5297.
– Press Release
