Abstract

Coastal communities most affected by climate change are exposed to greater risks due to changes in aquatic diversity. They assist communities in adopting changes to improve climate-related awareness and conserve aquatic biodiversity. The value of livelihoods that depend on marine ecosystems helps us understand the intertwined value of these ecosystems. Mangroves, coral reefs, and estuarine ecosystems are vital for the support and maintenance of human welfare and biodiversity. Rising sea levels, temperature changes, habitat loss, and ocean acidification degrade these ecosystems and pose a significant risk of biodiversity loss and functional collapse. The development of education that integrates these values can support these communities in achieving constructive, positive, sustainable management. The adaptive practices these communities adopt integrating indigenous and modern science with ecosystems and responding to climate change include restoring coastal wetlands, restoring fish habitats, and developing a commercial polyculture fishery. Integrating climate change and biodiversity education into adaptive management will strengthen resilience, promote the sustainability of coastal resources and ecosystem services, and provide long-term support. This paper focuses on these educational initiatives and their potential to advance adaptive management, as well as the limitations coastal communities encounter in these efforts. This encourages collaboration and community participation in addressing climate change to conserve the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords: Climate change, Aquatic biodiversity, Coastal communities, Adaptive management, Ecosystem services, Education, Sustainability