Climate Change and the Resilience of Bioshields
摘要
Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to coastal ecosystems and the effectiveness of bioshields as nature-based coastal protection strategies. This chapter examines the multifaceted impacts of climate-induced stressors—rising sea levels, increased storm frequency and intensity, ocean warming, and salinity intrusion—on the structure, function, and resilience of bioshields such as mangroves, saltmarshes, and coastal dunes. It explores ecological and geomorphological feedbacks that determine the adaptive capacity of these systems to withstand and recover from disturbances. Particular attention is given to mechanisms of ecological resilience, including species diversity, genetic variability, recruitment dynamics, and landscape connectivity, which collectively underpin the persistence of bioshields under changing climatic conditions. The chapter synthesizes empirical findings and modeling approaches that evaluate bioshield responses to projected climate scenarios across tropical and subtropical regions. It highlights both vulnerabilities and adaptive potentials, emphasizing the role of climate-smart management practices—such as assisted regeneration, sediment nourishment, and landward migration corridors—in sustaining bioshield functionality. Furthermore, the discussion links resilience theory with practical coastal planning, offering insights into integrating bioshields into national adaptation frameworks and disaster risk reduction policies. By bridging ecological resilience and climate adaptation science, this chapter underscores that maintaining the health and adaptability of bioshields is central to safeguarding coastal communities and ecosystems in an era of accelerating climate change.