HR: 0830h
AN: GC31B-0193    [PDF]
TI: Evaluation of Freshwater Resources and Sustainability on Small Islands
AU: * Hancock, K H
EM: katherine.hancock@tetratech.com
AF: Tetra Tech, 3746 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite 300, Lafayette, CA 94549 United States
AB: Small island states are especially vulnerable to climate change and the associated impacts to freshwater resources. A methodology is proposed to evaluate freshwater resources and the related sustainability issues on small islands. Tools that can be used to evaluate freshwater resources include return period analysis for wet and dry cycles of precipitation and historical long-term analysis of temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise over the record of available data. Additionally, focused analysis on time periods of concern can be performed. This includes development of a water budget to identify critical shortfalls in water supply. Sea-level rise is a particular area of concern to small island states because for some, much of the land area is only 3-4 meters above the present mean sea level. Sea level rise projections, along with critical tidal level evaluation and historical shoreline erosion rates, can help small islands examine how these factors will affect freshwater resources. Finally, an examination of the combined effects of climate change and other stressors to the future status of freshwater resources can be performed. This will help small island states adapt strategies and respond to the projected future status of their freshwater resources.
DE: 1600 GLOBAL CHANGE (New category)
DE: 1635 Oceans (4203)
SC: Global Climate Change [GC]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting