St Helena
Darwin Plus is a UK government grants scheme that funds projects that aim to protect the unique biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories
Since 2016, we have been supporting two UK Government funded Darwin Plus projects on the island of St Helena (https://dplus.darwininitiative.org.uk/) The first project (DPLUS051) was designed to develop sub-catchment scale water balances to understand the relationship between the cloud forest, mist capture and the impact of invasive species in the cloud forest on the islands water supply. Outcomes supported the drafting of The Peaks National Park Conservation Management Plan (2019-2024), which will ensure the protection of the islands endemic plans and animals, as well as providing a more secure water supply for the islands people.
We are now working on a new 3 year research project (DPLUS103), developing a climate change and drought warning network. Outcomes will be used to support development of a new island water balance to support the islands water resource management plan and develop a suite of climate reports to support nature conservation projects, the agriculture sector and other island stakeholders.
