Marine climate change risks to biodiversity and society in the ROPME Sea Area

作者：Katherine Maltby, Ella L. Howes, Susana Lincoln, John K. Pinnegar, Paul Buckley, T.S. Ali, Bushra Al Balushi, A. Al Ragum, H.S.A. Al Shukail, Chiden Balmes, Radhouan Ben‐Hamadou, Michel R. Claereboudt, Rusyan Jill Mamiit, Humood A. Naser, Mohammad Reza Shokri, Will J. F. Le Quesne · 发表于：Climate Risk Management · 年份：2022 · DOI：10.1016/j.crm.2022.100411 · 被引用次数：21 · 研究领域：Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies、Coastal and Marine Management、Marine and fisheries research

The subtropical ROPME Sea Area (RSA), comprising the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the northern Arabian Sea, is a heavily exploited sea region that experiences extreme environmental conditions, and for which climate change is expected to further impact marine ecosystems and coastal communities, sectors and industries. Climate change risk assessments provide a valuable tool to inform decision-making and adaptation planning through identifying and prioritising climate risks and/or opportunities. Using the first UK Climate Change Risk Assessment as an example, a marine climate change risk assessment was undertaken for the marine and coastal environment of the RSA for the first time. Through an extensive literature review and a workshop involving regional experts, marine and coastal climate change risks were identified, scored and prioritised. A total of 45 risks were identified, which spanned two key themes: ‘Risks to Biodiversity’ and ‘Risks to Economy and Society’. Of these, 13 were categorised as ‘severe’, including degradation of coral reefs and their associated ecological assemblages, shifts in the distribution of wild-capture fisheries resources, changes to phytoplankton primary productivity, impacts on coastal communities, threats to infrastructure and industries, and impacts on operations and safety in maritime transport. The diversity of risks identified and their transboundary nature highlight that climate change adaptation responses will require coordinated action and co...