FACTSHEET

CONSERVATION SCIENCE & SPECIES PROGRAMME

2010
Background

JULY

Implementing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Worlds most Outstanding Natural Places

The global communitys understanding of the importance of ecosystems to our wellbeing and our economies is growing rapidly. At the same time, our understanding of threats posed to these ecosystems by climate change is increasing, as is the recognition of the urgent need to protect them. In addition, protected areas play an important role to cope with the threats posed by climate change and acting now to improve their resilience is an important strategy to support societies and economies in adapting to climate change. This project will have specific and tangible impacts on targeted beneficiaries both in terms of direct benefits (improved PA resilience and management and increased community resilience) and indirect benefits (improved climate change understanding and skills and reinforced policy frameworks). In Madagascar, this project will be implemented in the northern part of the country (DIANA Region), especially in the Nosy Hara marine protected areas and Ambodivahibe Bay. The environment in those locations is already fragile and vulnerable to the effects of future climate change. The observed changes in recent years have shown that precipitation has decreased in the region, the average annual temperature has been increased from 0.4 to 1 C in 59 years and the path of cyclones seem to go northwards. Future projections are more consistent with a temperature rise of up to 3 C within the region and around 2 C on the coast and increased of cyclones frequency and intensity. Given all these changes, significant natural resources and human community will be probably affected by the negative impacts of climate change. The Nosy Hara MPA, which lies in the extreme northwest of Madagascar in the DIANA region and covers an area of approximately 125,000 ha, is renowned as a biodiversity jewel of the Western Indian Ocean. It contains a high abundance and diversity of coral providing important habitat for reef fish species, as well as feeding grounds for marine turtles. Iconic species such as the Madagascar fish eagle, sea turtles, roseate terns and other sea birds, dolphins, whale sharks, and reef sharks are found there. The marine park is managed by Madagascar National Parks (MNP), a national agency, in close collaboration with local communities who harvest a range of resources from the sea. WWF has already worked and supported this institution since 2002 through the creation of Nosy Hara as a MPA and the integration of climate change aspects in its management and monitoring plans. Ambodivahibe Bay which lies on the north coast of Madagascar is a pristine marine environment recognised for its diversity of coral and fish species, including a number of globally endangered species. It appears to exhibit a high natural resilience to climate change due to localised upwellings of cooler water, and is thought to have an important ecological role as a source population for surrounding marine ecosystems. In addition, the bay contains large globally endangered fish species such as Napoleon Wrasse, Bumphead Parrotfish, Giant Grouper, Blubberlip Snapper and Giant Trevally. This new MPA is promoted by Conservation International. The Ambodivahibe MPA is designed not only to address threats but to maximize economic opportunities identified in partnership with local communities.

Project overall goal

Increase the resilience of coastal ecosystems to maintain the provision of environmental goods and services, and disaster risk reduction to benefit local communities in the face of future climate conditions.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FEBRUARY 2011

Specific objectives
Effective climate change adaptation strategies are developed and being implemented in two protected areas and related adaptation issues are integrated into local planning frameworks for associated coastal and island ecosystems by empowered and resourced stakeholders in Madagascar.

Project results
- Understanding and capacity of targeted stakeholders to carry out climate vulnerability assessments and develop adaptation strategies for protected areas (PAs) and associated coastal and island ecosystems are improved. - A methodology for identification of climate change adaptation strategies and resilience building measures for coastal and marine PAs and associated ecosystems is developed, field tested and promoted. - Adaptation action plans are developed and priority actions implemented in six protected area sites in three countries. - Climate change adaptation is incorporated into local and regional development planning processes in pilot sites. - Awareness is raised on the values of PAs in coastal and marine ecosystems, and their contribution to adaptation to climate change for local livelihoods and disaster risk reduction

Achievements
The project contract was signed in February 2011 and substantive project activities will be started after the inception workshop in Colombia which is organized by WWF International for the three countries (Madagascar, Colombia and Philippines). WWF will launch a formal project opening in Diana Region on March 31st.

RL

Donor

Why we are here To stop the degradation of the planets natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony and nature.

European Union via WWF International from February 2011 to au January 2015.

WWW.WWF.MG

gular

Why we are here To stop the degradation of the planets natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. www.panda.org

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