EXPOSURE:

Highly exposed to climate, urban, and biodiversity risks. Highly exposed to climate, urban, and biodiversity risks. Kelabbine’s flat, low-lying topography makes it extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise, coastal flooding, and marine erosion — threatening infrastructure, housing, agriculture, and natural habitats. Rising land surface temperatures and changes in coastal climate patterns intensify local heat exposure. These pressures are compounded by human activities and urban growth, placing both communities and ecosystems at heightened risk.

PEOPLE:

Medium-density, partly urbanised communities are directly exposed to flooding, marine erosion, and the growing threat of sea level rise due to the area’s flat and low-lying topography. Residents who depend on agriculture, fishing, and tourism are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts that affect both livelihoods and safety. While access to basic services such as education and healthcare is relatively stable, the population remains at risk due to livelihood dependence on climate-sensitive sectors and increasing pressure from environmental change.

SENSITIVITY:

Highly sensitive to climate, urban, and biodiversity risks and stressors. Communities relying on agriculture, fishing, and tourism are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, and changing marine conditions. The flat terrain and proximity to the coast amplify exposure to flooding and erosion, while the limited resilience of critical infrastructure increases disruption risks. Fragile ecosystems, including wetlands, palm groves, and marine habitats, are sensitive to salinization, pollution, and the cumulative effects of warming seas, human disturbance, and biodiversity loss.

ECOSYSTEMS:

Ecosystems are increasingly threatened by a combination of natural stressors and human-induced pressures. Coastal, terrestrial, and marine habitats face compounding risks from coastal erosion, flooding, increased heat, and changing precipitation patterns. Sea level rise and coastal erosion, worsened by urbanization, is degrading wetlands and beaches vital for nesting birds and marine species. Marine ecosystems are under mounting pressure from ocean warming, pollution, overfishing, and habitat disturbance, driving biodiversity loss.

ADAPTIVE CAPACITY:

Limited adaptive capacity to climate, urban and biodiversity vulnerabilities. The community’s vulnerability to adverse climate impacts is further exacerbated by limited access to emergency services and financial resources. With many residents dependent on climate-sensitive livelihoods, the capacity to recover from climate-induced shocks is weakened. The lack of flood management infrastructure, coupled with poor coastal protection, leaves communities vulnerable to the immediate and long-term impacts of rising sea levels and increased flooding. The degradation of local ecosystems, which could provide natural resilience, further limits the ability to mitigate the effects of climate stressors.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

Increasing infrastructure vulnerabilities due to unplanned urban growth, building sprawl, and rising construction density in low-lying, hazard-prone areas. Infrastructure is relatively limited and often lacks the capacity to cope with climate-related shocks such as flooding, heat stress and coastal erosion. Inadequate drainage, insufficient protective coastal infrastructure, and scattered service provision leave built-up areas increasingly exposed to environmental and climate pressures.

EXPOSURE:

Kraten highly exposed to climate and urban risks, particularly coastal flooding and marine erosion Low-lying urbanized areas along the seafront are increasingly occupied by residents, infrastructure, and facilities, heightening risks from sea level rise and storm surges. Accelerated erosion along the Kraten coastline has been documented through archaeological remains falling into the sea, illustrating the visible retreat of the shoreline. Seasonal flooding, saltwater intrusion, and land subsidence further threaten housing, farmland, and local infrastructure. The community is also exposed to declining marine resources due to intensive fishing practices and pollution from boats and tourism.

PEOPLE:

Residents of Kraten face high vulnerability due to their dependence on fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Each of these sectors highly sensitive to climate and environmental change. Social marginalization is exacerbated by the area’s isolation and limited public services, restricting access to healthcare, emergency response, and livelihood alternatives. Rising sea levels and recurrent coastal flooding threaten homes, cultural heritage, and critical community infrastructure, disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups. Food insecurity is a growing risk as both agriculture and fisheries decline under changing environmental conditions.

SENSITIVITY:

Sensitivity in Kraten is very high due to the intersection of socioeconomic and ecological vulnerabilities. Residents rely heavily on climate-sensitive livelihoods such as small-scale fishing and agriculture, which are increasingly undermined by declining fish stocks, eutrophication, and salinization of soils. Fragmentation of agricultural land and encroachment on wetlands have reduced natural buffers, leaving communities more exposed to floods and storm surges. The limited provision of healthcare, emergency services, and waste management further compounds household vulnerability, especially among the poor, elderly, women, and youth.

ECOSYSTEMS:

Ecosystem vulnerability in Kraten is very high. Wetlands, orchards, and intertidal areas that historically buffered climate impacts are increasingly fragmented by urban expansion and land-use change. Posidonia oceanica meadows along the Kraten coastline—vital for biodiversity, fisheries, and shoreline stability—are under intense pressure from destructive fishing practices, pollution, and eutrophication. Urbanization continues to encroach on terrestrial habitats, eroding ecological connectivity and reducing resilience. Without urgent restoration and protection, critical ecosystem services such as flood mitigation, habitat provision, and groundwater recharge will continue to deteriorate, amplifying both climate and social vulnerability.

ADAPTIVE CAPACITY:

Kraten has limited adaptive capacity. Ecosystem-based resilience has been weakened by the loss of wetlands, fragmentation of orchards, and degradation of Posidonia oceanica meadows that once provided critical protection and biodiversity. Institutional responses to climate risks remain weak, with limited planning for coastal defense, urban growth, or marine ecosystem management. Financial and social resources to adapt are constrained, while unsustainable fishing practices and unregulated urban expansion continue to erode long-term resilience. Without integrated governance and ecological restoration, communities lack the tools to anticipate or recover from intensifying shocks.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

Infrastructure vulnerability in Kraten is severe. Coastal erosion and sea level rise threaten homes, public facilities, and archaeological heritage along the shoreline. The expansion of settlements and facilities into low-lying, flood-prone areas has placed assets directly in harm’s way. Waste management and sanitation systems are underdeveloped, with domestic effluents and solid waste frequently discharged into the sea, further degrading marine ecosystems and local water quality. The lack of planned coastal protection and resilient infrastructure exacerbates long-term risks, while poor connectivity and isolation limit access to emergency support.