Building climate resilience in The Bahamas: A framework for enhancing soil and water resource management amidst saltwater intrusion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15362/ijbs.v31i1.603Keywords:
Climate change, Fresh water, Sea level, Drinking water, Saltwater encroachmentAbstract
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), like The Bahamas, face growing challenges to fresh water and soil security due to climate change, sea level rise, and unsustainable land use. Saltwater intrusion, intensified by extreme weather events and anthropogenic pressures, threatens the archipelago’s fragile freshwater lenses and limited, sandy soils. A synthesis of available research highlights the unique hydrogeological and pedological characteristics that increase vulnerability to salinization alongside the compounded impacts of groundwater over-extraction, deforestation, urbanization, and pollution. A resilience framework for integrated soil and water management is proposed, incorporating natural and engineered strategies, including halophyte restoration, organic soil amendments, aquifer recharge, and soil flushing techniques. Emphasis is placed on real-time salinity monitoring, adaptive planning, and diversification of drinking water sources. Aligning these strategies with national and sustainable development goals presents an opportunity to safeguard environmental resources and build long-term climate resilience across The Bahamas.
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