Challenges: Climate change and extreme weather
Climate change in the form of repeated severe droughts in the early 2010s had a profound effect on the moist and mist forests of the granitic islands. The real effects are still very much unknown. However, in 2011 a series of permanent vegetation plots was set up in high mountain areas as part of the Herbarium Project training work. Study of these plots has produced baseline data which will help in evaluating the ecological changes which are taking place in these places.
It is also expected that severe weather events such as drought and storms are likely to increase in frequency and intensity. Already flooding has been a problem in some flatter areas in recent years, due to rainfall sometimes being much heavier than normal. Rainfall patterns are changing everywhere in the islands.
Coastlines are expected to be more severely impacted as the sea level continues to rise and so-called soft options have had to be devised for some coastal areas to avoid flooding. Salination of soils on the flat coastal area is already affecting agricultural production and research is ongoing to find suitable solutions for farmers.
It is also expected that severe weather events such as drought and storms are likely to increase in frequency and intensity. Already flooding has been a problem in some flatter areas in recent years, due to rainfall sometimes being much heavier than normal. Rainfall patterns are changing everywhere in the islands.
Coastlines are expected to be more severely impacted as the sea level continues to rise and so-called soft options have had to be devised for some coastal areas to avoid flooding. Salination of soils on the flat coastal area is already affecting agricultural production and research is ongoing to find suitable solutions for farmers.
Coastal erosion has many human causes but is made worse by severe storms and wave surges
