Effekter av klimaendringer på økosystemet langs kysten av Kerala

Coastal areas with high population density are on the frontline of the unprecedented impacts of climate change. One of the most vulnerable ones in India is Kerala stateʼs coast, which is also the most densely populated coastal zone along the countryʼs western coast. The project C3-eKerala is an Indo-Norwegian, transdisciplinary effort (scientists, policy maker and social/citizen science experts) to assess the impact of climate change on Keralaʼs marine coastal ecosystem. The results will support the development and implementation of relevant mitigation plans through the Kerala state action plan on climate change 2023-2030. C3-eKerala will investigate in detail the climate-related changes in sea level and wave-climate and its cascading effects on shoreline changes, sensitive ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass, and the dynamics and intensity of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). C3-eKerala will use a multidisciplinary approach including the integrated use of satellite sensor synergy, in-situ observations, statistical and numerical modeling together with state-of-the-art machine learning methods. We will use the gained knowledge to predict annual shoreline positions until 2050, create an interactive map suggesting seagrass restoration sites, and forecast HAB events along the Kerala coast. We will communicate the project results directly to the coastal communities and elected policy makers via a series of public meetings and workshops. Collaborating with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, we turn science into actionable plans, addressing climate change for coastal communities. Together, we will develop strategies to mitigate and adapt to the changing conditions, to enhance the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. In summary, C3-eKerala advances understanding and resilience of Kerala's coastal populations to climate impacts via a comprehensive approach—scientific research, modeling, tech-integration, and community involvement.