Turks and Caicos Islands

Vulnerability of wetlands
It is anticipated that global climate change will aggravate the impacts of current human stressors on
mangroves and reduce their natural resilience to harsh conditions. Observed and GCM ensemble
projections of temperature change in TCI will not likely have adverse direct impacts on the country’s
mangrove forests. However, mangroves could be indirectly impacted by long-term temperature changes
since increased temperatures will damage coral reefs, which mangroves depend on for shelter from wave
action. Reduced levels of precipitation would reduce mangrove productivity and increase their exposure to
very saline water. SLR is expected to pose the greatest climate change threat to mangroves (McLeod &
Salm, 2006). A rise in sea level is projected to affect wetlands by either expanding or confining their habitat.
SLR and salt water intrusion will increase soil salinity and may allow wetland vegetation to spread. On the
other hand, if mangroves and other vegetation associated with salt ponds are obstructed from migrating
inland due to coastal topography and coastal infrastructure, they may be over-come by SLR and eventually
lost. SLR and changes in precipitation, particularly the projected trend towards drier weather, will also
affect the water level and salinity of salt ponds (Salinas) fed by underground water sources thus impacting
on the organisms that inhabit these areas.
Hurricane Ike, 2008, caused damage to several mangrove sites including those of South Creek National Park
located in Grand Turk. Observed and projected increases in SSTs indicate potential for continuing increases
in hurricane activity, and model projections (although still relatively primitive) indicate that this may occur
through increases in intensity of events, including increases in near storm rainfalls and peak winds.
Mangrove species exhibit different responses to storm damage and a forest’s community structure could
thus be changed by tropical storms and hurricanes. The long term effects of extreme events on mangrove
stands are uncertain but will most likely mean a loss of the many essential services provided by these
ecosystems. The best approach is therefore to preserve and restore mangrove communities given the
economic and life saving benefits they can offer.
Vulnerability of beaches to climate change
Climate change, in particular SLR and extreme events, is likely to increase rates of beach erosion. As sea
levels rise, shorelines retreat inland and beach area is typically reduced. A reduction in the width of the
beach buffer zone will leave coastal infrastructure more vulnerable to erosive wave action, and possibly
result in the loss of critical fish landing sites. Climate change impacts on beaches will also threaten the
survival of species such as marine turtles and shore birds. Turtles exhibit strong nesting site fidelity and will
undertake long distance migrations in order to return to their natal beach to nest. Given the small fraction
of hatchlings that survive to adulthood the loss of beach nesting sites has grave implications for marine
turtle populations. Furthermore, warmer average daily temperatures may skew sex ratios in developing
turtle eggs and thereby reduced the reproductive capacity of sea turtles. Such impacts will mean a loss of
potential for the country’s expanding ecotourism industry, disruption of marine ecosystem balance, and
loss of a tourism product. As a signatory to CITES, the Turks and Caicos Islands have an obligation to protect
these marine reptiles.
Intense tropical cyclones and accompanying storm surges can dramatically alter beach profiles. In 2008
Hurricane Ike impacted several beaches including Governor’s Beach, one of the main public beaches in the
National Park system, and East Grace Bay a significant resort area, both of which suffered substantial
erosion - in particular the latter lost up to five feet of sand in height. Also, a restoration project of Emerald
Beach that was completed in June of that same year was completely lost (UNEP, 2008). The frequency of
storms often does not allow sufficient time for beaches to recover (Scott, et al., 2006).
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