Abstract

The Adaptation Briefs demonstrate how different adaptation strategies reduce vulnerabilities to key climate stressors and include case studies where these strategies have been implemented. The briefs complement the Climate Adaptation Toolkit, which contains tools to help MPA practitioners evaluate the vulnerability of their sites to climate change and identify appropriate adaptation strategies.

This brief highlights examples of adaptation actions that reduce coastal and nearshore pollutants.

This brief is also available in Spanish and French.

Overview

Many coastal and nearshore marine habitats are impacted by nutrient loading and other pollutants, which may occur as point source pollution (i.e., direct discharge of pollutants from an identifiable source such as factory pipes) or non-point source pollution, which occurs when runoff from the land carries nutrients or contaminants into waterways and flow downstream, impacting coastal and nearshore habitats. Reducing nutrients and other pollutants improves water quality, increasing ecosystem health and resilience to climate stressors.

Featured Case Studies:

1. Increasing Awareness and Resilience of Coastal Wetlands and Reefs in Quintana Roo (State of Quintana Roo, Mexico)
2. Reducing Fertilizer Runoff in the State of Queensland (Great Barrier Reef of Queensland, Australia)
3. Reducing Nutrient Loading in Tampa Bay (Tampa Bay, Florida, United States)

About the MPA Toolkit

This brief is based on adaptation strategies and case studies from the Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MPA Toolkit), an online resource created to make climate adaptation planning a simple, direct, and feasible process for marine protected area managers. The MPA Toolkit contains:

• A step-by-step guide to undertaking a Rapid Vulnerability Assessment for marine and coastal areas
• Structured and searchable adaptation strategy ideas with supporting case studies, reports and tools
• Foundational adaptation resources
• Selected experts who can be contacted for technical guidance