Regional & Comparative Research/Indonesia, Timor-Leste/2023
Climate change implications for the Arafura and Timor Seas region: assessing vulnerability of marine systems to inform management and conservation
Peer-Reviewed
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This 2023 peer-reviewed article in Climatic Change by Johanna E. Johnson, David J. Welch, Ruben van Hooidonk, Dieter Tracey, Ganesha Chandrasa, Bianca Molinari, Deti Triani, Casandra Tania and Handoko Susanto assesses the climate change implications for marine systems in the Arafura and Timor Seas region, which spans parts of Timor-Leste, Indonesia and northern Australia. The study conducts a structured vulnerability assessment of key marine habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, and the fisheries and aquaculture they support. It uses climate projections for the period 2041 to 2070, covering warming, ocean acidification, altered rainfall and sea-level rise, to evaluate exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of each habitat type. The results identify the Timor-Leste sub-region as highly vulnerable across multiple marine habitat types, highlighting significant risks to coastal livelihoods and food security. The authors discuss implications for management and conservation, including priorities for protecting critical habitats and supporting adaptation. Classed as direct and adjacent evidence under Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, the article helps fill an important Timor-Leste coverage gap. It is useful for marine planners, conservation organisations and fisheries agencies in Timor-Leste and Indonesia, and for researchers applying structured vulnerability assessment methods.
Additional Details
- Author(s)
- Bianca Molinari; Casandra Tania; David J. Welch; Deti Triani; Dieter Tracey; Ganesha Chandrasa; Handoko Susanto; Johanna E. Johnson; Ruben van Hooidonk
- Type
- Peer-reviewed article – Climatic Change
- Aquaculture / Fisheries Dimension
- Coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves and the fisheries/aquaculture they support
- Relevance to Climate Aquaculture
- Direct
- Thematic Area
- Vulnerability & Risk Assessment
- Climate Issue
- Warming, ocean acidification, altered rainfall and sea-level rise (2041–2070 projections)
- Adaptation / Key Contribution
- Structured vulnerability assessment identifying the Timor-Leste sub-region as highly vulnerable across multiple marine habitat types
- How to Use / Notes
- Fills Timor-Leste coverage gap