Improving Land Change Models for Climate Adaptation, Urban Development, and Conservation Action Across the US Caribbean

Climate and economic stressors are causing large numbers of people to emigrate from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, even while new development continues. To provide a tool to help managers and policymakers make informed decisions about development and conservation, researchers for this Southeast CASC-supported project will co-produce a land change model that can simulate future scenarios of development, population change, and conservation in response to climate hazards. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are experiencing high levels of out-migration caused by economic and climate stress, yet new homes continue to be built, often near areas of conservation concern. As climate change increases the risk of intense coastal [...]