Selection Criteria

The selection guidelines included the following:

  • Multiple use parameters. In order to ensure that the one site chosen could be a used as a model for further such activities, it was key that this site be as representative as possible of land-use, economic, social, environmental and cultural characteristics of the country. Sites were, therefore, chosen to reflect, economic activity, residential characteristics and where possible include natural features i.e. swamps or wetlands or other ecosystems as well as other activities.
  • Size. Although size is an interesting characteristic of sites, in this case size is not a determining factor. Noting that multiple-use sites were targeted, the sites would inevitably not be small areas. The important factor was the multiple use and that these largely represented concerns and issues in the participating country.
  • Vulnerability. It was also critical that the site selected could potentially be vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise. This is a critical aspect of the exercise in terms of valuing climate change impacts as well as how climate change may impact on the value of resources such as fisheries, coastal and marine resources, infrastructure.
  • Data Availability. Although data availability was not a precluding factor, it was a concern in the selection of sites. Most of the projected values of climate change impacts would not be readily available and would in all likelihood need to be collected through surveys. Noting this, it was still important that some data, particularly historical data for sites and values exist for some features of the site.
  • Economic Diversity. Although the majority of countries in the region are dependent on tourism, there are still varying economic mixes. It was key that valuations in the region also represent a wide variety of factors and economic mixes in terms of valuing coastal and marine resources. It was also suggested that specific economically-featured sites be selected for each country.
    • Site Description

    It was suggested that St. Lucia provided a good example of a fairly new tourism destination. The pilot study could provide a good case study of �sun, sand and sea� tourism and the implications for this industry from anticipated climate change and associated sea-level rise.

    The study site in St. Lucia stretches from coastal area from Vigie to Pigeon Island including Rat Island and the Union River. This area has significant economic importance in terms of tourism.



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