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Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies

Research Projects

Sargassum : SargAdapt

Adapting to a new reality: Managing responses to influxes of sargassum seaweed in the Eastern Caribbean as ecosystem hazards and opportunities
 
A project of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund Ecosystem based Adaptation Facility with financing from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety through KfW.

The ultimate goal of SargAdapt is to reduce the impacts of and improve adaptation to sargassum influxes in the Eastern Caribbean with emphasis on converting a climate-linked ecosystem hazard into an asset that supports opportunities for socio-economic development.
Click here to download our project flyer
 
The project takes a people-centric EbA approach by acknowledging that human resilience within the Eastern Caribbean depends on the integrity of coastal ecosystems that are currently being threatened by mass influxes of pelagic sargassum. Ecosystems-based Adaptation ( EbA) is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of the overall adaptation strategy to help people adapt to adverse impacts of climate change.
Click here to learn more about EbA


Five countries in the Eastern Caribbean are participating in the project:
• Dominica

• St. Lucia

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Grenada

• Barbados


SargAdapt has three components that will be implemented in sequence over three years:
Component 1
Knowledge Mobilised
Component 2
Capacity Developed
Component 3
Adaptation Plans Institutionalised
To develop appropriate management responses to sargassum influxes to lessen damage to coastal and marine ecosystems and human livelihoods based on enhanced knowledge and understanding of patterns and impacts of sargassum influxes. This will enhance stakeholders’ knowledge to appropriately respond and adapt to sargassum influxes with good practices. To enhance the technical and institutional capacity of stakeholders to cope with, plan for, sustainably manage, and adapt to sargassum influxes. This will build networks and partnerships among science, industry and community stakeholders to promote best practices and innovation and sustain adaptation to sargassum influxes.
 
To reinforce the ability of marine and coastal stakeholders for adaptive planning, management and ecosystem and livelihood resilience through practical applications. This will enable sargassum-smart communities with reduced climate risk and tangible climate adaptation benefits.


​The project ‘Theory of Change’ diagram below outlines how the SargAdapt project components will being about positive and change.




The CERMES team that will be leading the implementation of SargAdapt comprises:
Team Member Patrick McConney Hazel Oxenford Janice Cumberbatch Karima Degia
Role Lead Investigator Lead Investigator Lead Investigator Project Manager


As we implement SargAdapt, we will undertake several activities over 3 years, building on previous work:
Component 1:  Knowledge Mobilised
• Stakeholder engagement and communications strategy
• Literature review, including release of periodic and/or subject-based bulletins summarising published research
• Research and data collection on the biological communities associated with the sargassum
• Investigation the impacts of sargassum influxes on coastal ecosystems
•Economic assessment of the impacts or sargassum and potential ecosystem services (benefits) or sargassum
• Development of a standard protocol for monitoring and mapping sargassum with drones, building on previous work
• Development of additional tools and guidance materials

This component will culminate in the development of a Knowledge Platform that will involve an upgraded website and process for dissemination of information
Component 2: Capacity Developed

• Establish a network of stakeholders
• Develop training and capacity development packages
• Deliver of training
• Establish and coordinate a Regional Action Learning Group
• Provide Technical and Organisational Assistance
Component 3: Adaptation Plans Institutionalised

• Continue production of the Eastern Caribbean sub-regional Sargassum Outlook Bulletin
• Design and implement community based demonstration projects
• Convene a Third Sargassum Symposium  with Expo, planned for 2022
• Develop community and Sectoral Adaptation Plans
Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies
Telephone: (246) 417-4316 Email: cermes@cavehill.uwi.edu