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

    Given that Trinidad is one of the more industrialized countries in the Caribbean sub-region it was suggested that a site be selected where industry is a significant factor. The valuation of CC impacts on industry will be useful in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies in the region.

    The selected site stretches from Point Lisas in the South to Waterloo in the North on the southwest to northwest coast of Trinidad. The site was selected given that it represented largely the features described above and is also an industrial estate bordered by residential and fishing activity. There are also natural ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands in the area. The area also consists of a number of cultural and religious sites.



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