A holistic approach to evaluating climate vulnerability of French Polynesia pearl oyster farming: Bridging communities and scientific knowledge

<p>Various frameworks for vulnerability and risk assessment of social-ecological systems (SES) to natural hazards have been developed addressing different contexts. However, none were specifically developed in the context of implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) to hydro-meteorological risks. Since the basic concepts and principles of NBS are mainly focused on ensuring balance between ecological and social benefits, the entire vulnerability and risk assessment process should focus equally on various social and ecological components of a location where an NBS would be implemented. As a part of the OPEn-air laboRAtories for Nature baseD solUtions to Manage hydro-meteo risks (OPERANDUM) project, this research proposes a conceptual framework for vulnerability and risk assessment in the context of NBS to hydro-meteorological risks. This conceptual framework is developed mainly considering the major components of the existing Delta-SES risk assessment framework (Sebesvari et al. 2016) and other similar frameworks proposed in recent studies, as well as the proposed principles for NBS endorsed by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The major components of the framework include: (i) the exposure of SES to multiple hydro-meteorological hazards (e.g., flood, drought); (ii) vulnerability of SES that consists of ecosystem susceptibility, social susceptibility, ecosystem robustness, and coping and adaptive capacity of the social system; (iii) risks in the NBS project site determined by the combination of hazard exposure and vulnerability; and (iv) the impacts of hydro-meteorological hazards on the SES surrounding or within the NBS project site. While the basic space of risk assessment would be the NBS project site (usually at the local level within sub-catchments) with specific SES characteristics, this framework also reflects the interrelationships between ecosystem and social system as well as the effects of multiple hazards and risks at local up to the global scales. The framework also considers the changes over time that would capture the maturation time lag of the ecological components of an NBS, as well as the sustainability of the system with the intervention of NBS and other risk reduction measures. An indicator-based risk assessment approach can be used to operationalize the framework. To facilitate that, an indicator library has been developed comprising of indicators for different exposure and vulnerability components of the framework. The proposed framework can be applicable to any geographical conditions where an NBS project is to be implemented to reduce hydro-meteorological risks. The framework can also be tailored for other natural hazards (e.g. geological hazards like earthquake) and anthropogenic hazards (e.g. pollution). We will explain the conceptualisation process of the framework and of the indicator library and how these will be tested within the OPERANDUM project in the context of NBS implementation.</p><p>Keywords: Nature-based solutions, risk assessment framework, hydro-meteorological hazards, social-ecological systems </p><p> </p><p>Reference:</p><p>Sebesvari, Z., Renaud, F. G., Haas, S., Tessler, Z., Hagenlocher, M., Kloos, J., ... & Kuenzer, C. (2016). A review of vulnerability indicators for deltaic social–ecological systems. Sustainability Science, 11(4), 575-590.</p>

Climate change presents significant challenges for the sustainability of the tourism sector. Tourismdestinations in developing countries have been identified as the most vulnerable to the impacts ofclimate change; however, little is known about the situation of climate change and the tourism sectorin the developing world, despite the relative importance of tourism to the local economies. Buildingadaptive capacity is important to increase the capability of the local destination communitystakeholders to manage the impacts of climate change on their business and on the broaderdestination. Considerable adaptation research has been conducted; however, adaptation discourses inthe tourism sector are still predominantly focused on responding to the predicted impacts of futureclimate change rather than addressing the underlying factors that affect the vulnerability and adaptivecapacity of tourism destinations and local community stakeholders.Recent research in social ecological systems has indicated that learning is an essential aspect ofbuilding adaptive capacity. In this context, social learning is emerging as an adaptation approach thataddresses issues hindering adaptation, such as a lack of knowledge and awareness, and encourages aproactive response by human systems to climate change. Underpinned by the theories of climatechange adaptation and social learning, this research seeks to understand the influence of learning ona destination community’s responses to the impacts of climate change. The aim of this research wassupported by four interrelated research objectives: 1) to examine community knowledge of climatechange, 2) to identify the sources of information utilised by the community to construct climatechange knowledge and the spaces used for knowledge sharing and learning, 3) to assess how localdestination community stakeholders have applied their existing knowledge to adapt to climate change,and 4) to identify and assess the factors influencing the capacity of local destination stakeholders tolearn to adapt to climate change.This research employed a qualitative, constructivist methodology to investigate the research issue inthe context of the city of Hoi An, a well-known tourism destination in Vietnam. Semi-structuredinterviews were conducted with 54 participants who represented a broad range of local destinationcommunity stakeholders (i.e., local government authorities, tourism businesses, residents,community-based organisations) and expert stakeholders who have knowledge about the scope ofthis research.The thesis reveals the following key findings. The overall conclusion is that the responses of Hoi Ancommunity stakeholders to the impacts of climate change are strongly determined by their perceptionsof the importance of climate change to their businesses and to the broader destination; their ability to acquire the necessary climate-related knowledge; and their ability to apply this acquired knowledgeto decision making and actions to respond to the impacts of climate change. The study found thatlocal community stakeholders are highly concerned about climate change and hold a basic knowledgeof the impacts and implications of climate change on the destination and solutions for dealing withclimate-change effects. Such knowledge is primarily developed from personal experiences withclimatic events and traditional ecological knowledge about weather and environment, and partlylearnt from the media and participation in environmental education workshops. To a certain extent,social learning regarding climate change is also evident through formal interactions amongdestination community stakeholders with external stakeholders such as development agencies,researchers and government at different levels (particularly environmental authorities) which areimportant for transferring and developing scientific knowledge. Results of this research indicate thatknowledge has been used effectively in some respects to inform strategies to exploit the opportunitiesarising from changes and moderating the risks resulting from the negative impacts of climate change.Despite this, many responses to climate change in this community are still reactive and short-term,rather than being long-term and anticipatory of future changes. The study indicates that a lack ofknowledge for climate-change adaptation, especially tourism-specific climate-change knowledge; thelimitations in climate-change communication and learning facilitation; and constraints relating togovernment empowerment and finance have overwhelmed the capacity of destination communitystakeholders to learn and adapt to the impacts of climate change.This research makes several key contributions to the tourism and climate-change research literature.It has shown how learning could be used as an approach to enhance adaptive capacity and adaptationto climate change by local tourism stakeholders. It has shown clear evidence that climate change isimportant enough for vulnerable tourism destinations and communities to require immediate action.It also contributes to bridging the knowledge gaps about climate change and tourism in developingcountries; this is of particular significance given the relative importance of the tourism sector to theselocal economies. This thesis also extends the applicability of the concept of social learning in thecontext of tourism destinations by demonstrating that social and political factors, such as the multileveladministrative and tourism governance systems in Vietnam, can influence learning andadaptation to climate change at the community level.

International-renowned forecasting of urban development in coastal environments indicates an increased exposure to the risks of climatic events by way of natural hazards. This indication indirectly exacerbates the vulnerability of relating coastal communities. Using this viewpoint, a decade long study between 2000-2010 conceptualises a considerable volume of research in the area of vulnerability to urban environmental change due to disasters in relation to climatic events. In particular, several studies have attempted to present a discourse on the vulnerability of social ecological systems to hazards or risk occurrence within urban coastal environments in order to improve understanding and support for the assessment of impacts and risks related to such change and, by definition, its associating adaptive measures. This overview takes into account disparate opinions, approaches and methodologies applied by different scientific viewpoints and research studies, and highlights salient and vantage aspects. The research is organised in three key methodological sections: (1) urban coastal vulnerability and risk assessment; (2) vulnerability assessment of urban coastal ecosystems; and (3) ecosystem-based approaches for urban coastal risk assessment. Vulnerability and risk assessment are anchored via exposure, susceptibility and resilience, and are must-do activities when addressing a system.

Gender is a socio-economic variable which can be used to analyze vulnerability and adaptive capacity of people against climate change and variability in local communities in Africa. Due to climatic change and variability, achieving sustainability inagriculture with emphasis on satisfying basic human needs and improving people’s standard of living through enhancing food security and reducing poverty has been a challenge in Africa. This has been exacerbated by the fact that rapid increase in human population has outpaced the ability to produce sufficient food for the growing population. This discussion attempt to link gender vulnerability to climate change impact on resource poor peasant farmers in Africa. Climate change and variability is now widely regarded as the most serious challenge facing Africa, with consequences that go far beyond the effects on the environment, hence affecting both men and women indiscriminately. Despite the negative impact of climate change on crop, livestock production and biodiversity conservation, poor resources peasant famers are incentivized to engage in these activities because of the wide spectrum of benefits accrued, such as cash income, food, manure, draft power and hauling services, savings and insurance, and social status and social capital. It is against this background that crops and livestock species that remarkably possess distinctive qualities enabling them to excel efficiently in the context of the uncertainties of climatic variability need to be promoted to reduce vulnerability at household level. The use of adaptive genotypes such as the local animal and crop genetic resources may sustain household production in the context of climate change. Small grain crops (sorghum, millet, cow peas. pigeon peas etc) and small stock (goats, sheep, poultry, etc) which are associated with women are less likely to succumb to climate change than the large ruminants which are owned by men. It is reasonably to suggest that the exclusion – or lack of participation – of women in decision making over biodiversity conservation and natural resource management can have implications for conservation outcomes because of gender role differences in natural resources utilization and conservation based on indigenous knowledge. The review concludes that the impact of climate change will have a graver effect on womenthan men, due to their different specific socio economic roles and their participation in different agricultural activities and biodiversity conservation effort. The range of adaptive measures that might be taken for local communities to ameliorate climate change effects should take into account gender differentials, if they are to succeed.

The integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge has emerged as a key area of interest in various disciplines, including environmental management, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Indigenous knowledge, developed over centuries by Indigenous peoples and local communities, reflects a deep-rooted understanding of local ecosystems, sustainable practices, and holistic approaches to health and development. Meanwhile, scientific knowledge, often seen as more universal and formalized, contributes empirical methodologies and technological advancements. This systematic review explores the importance, challenges, and benefits of integrating these two knowledge systems. By reviewing relevant literature, this paper identifies pathways for successful integration, highlighting case studies from environmental conservation, agriculture, and healthcare that demonstrate the complementary strengths of indigenous and scientific knowledge. The paper concludes that integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge holds great promise for addressing global challenges. Despite obstacles like power disparities and differing epistemologies, effective integration can lead to a comprehensive and lasting solution that promotes equitable collaborations, protects intellectual property, and creates culturally appropriate frameworks. Collaborative research that treats indigenous populations as equal partners ensures innovations are both scientifically and culturally valid. Successful integration therefore requires frameworks sensitive to cultural differences and the social and spiritual aspects of indigenous knowledge, supported by legal and policy measures to safeguard and benefit from indigenous knowledge. • Understanding IK helps planners use flexible, creative methods and avoid harming local ecology or culture in development projects. • Crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry are time-tested indigenous practices that support food security and climate resilience. • Integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge in healthcare enhances treatment effectiveness and ensures cultural relevance. • Integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge offers valuable solutions for global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and conservation. • IK can act as a springboard for SK to be put in traditional communities for learning and growth.

With the inception of global climate change and its related risks, impacts, and challenges many rural and indigenous communities across the globe are today facing tremendous cultural, economic, and environmental change which is likely going to weaken their adaptability and resilience capacities to climate change. Indigenous and local people have for centuries been known to possess the capacity to adapt to environmental change within their ecological environment. However, in the face of profound and continuous global environmental change, some scholars have argued and projected that cultural, biological diversity, as well as local resilience capacities to environmental change, will likely be severely impacted leading to the ultimate loss of these valuable sources of livelihood and survival of the many remote, rural, and local communities across the world. Despite this popular notion that local and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK) systems will disappear, the academic vision of local and IEK has progressively shifted from being viewed as a static body of knowledge to one of dynamism. Today, this knowledge is being hybridized through the accommodation of new forms of information or its exposition to external socio-economic drivers. Therefore, its relevance and the role it plays in disaster risk management, natural resource conservation, and management, and now in climate change adaptation must be clearly understood, acknowledged, and given the utmost attention, it deserves if we are to fully address the impacts emanating from a warming climate. In understanding the role and relevance of local and IEK systems in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management this paper analyzes present climate change-related impacts on agriculture in Barisal Southern Bangladesh and identifies effective local and indigenous ecological knowledge adaptation mechanisms being utilized by the local people in this region for climate change adaptation, resilience building, and sustainability. Through literature reviews, fieldwork research, interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) the findings of this research indicate that local and indigenous adaptation strategies to climate change impacts are striving and are enhancing the adaptability and resilience capacities of the many poor local people in this region. This research, therefore, recommends that the usefulness and relevance of local and IEK must be acknowledged and incorporated into the mainstream developmental and climate change policies, particularly at the local and community level where resources are scarce, and the adaptability capacity, is weak.

Steuerungsoptionen für eine effektive Biodiversitätsgovernance

Community‐driven science and science education: Living in and navigating the edges of equity, justice, and science learning

The vulnerability of social-ecological systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to climate variability and change means that there is an urgent need to better integrate weather and climate information into societal decision-making processes. Long-term climate adaptation in these regions has received increasing attention, with recent initiatives aiming to increase resilience to climate change at timescales of years to decades. Less focus has been given to weather and short-term climate information. However, users are principally interested in shorter timescales (hours to seasons) where actions can immediately reduce the impacts of severe weather events. Focusing on the priority sectors of agriculture and food security, water and disaster management, this paper uses a systematic literature review approach to analyse 61 empirical case studies drawn from academic literature and projects across SSA. We identify the main users of climate services and outline current practices and reported benefits. Barriers that impede the delivery and uptake of climate services are identified and potential strategies for overcoming them outlined based on the reporting of successful practices. Our findings show that greater capacity building of personnel working for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and Agricultural Extension staff and reinforcing and sustaining collaboration between different stakeholders (climate scientists, hydrologists, extension workers, farmers and other user groups), are essential factors for improving the uptake and utility of weather and climate services to enhance resilience to climate shocks in SSA.

Climate change remains a serious global problem posing a wide range of challenges and impacts which will likely hinder the attainment of the widely discussed sustainable development goals (SDGs). The impacts and threats from a changing climate have the potential to significantly impact all sectors of the global economy and will largely be multifaceted, multidimensional, and multi-sectoral. These adverse impacts will to a greater extent, be manifested at the local and community level where the adaptability capacity is weak and resources are scarce. In the last two decades, there has been growing support and evidence that suggests that local people and communities in partnership with their local governments and NGOs are undertaking community ecological based adaptation (CEBA) practices at both the local and community level which are enhancing their adaptability and resilience capacities to a changing climate. CEBA mechanisms are initiatives and practices that local and rural communities across the developing world are sometimes adopting in partnership with their local government and non-governmental organizations to adapt to a changing climate. However, over the years, these initiatives, experiments, and activities have been poorly actualized, communicated, and there is uncertainty on whether these practices and mechanisms are enhancing the adaptability and resilience capacities of the many poor people in these communities. It is from this background that this paper seeks to assess and analyze present and future climate change impacts on agriculture in Central Zambia and further seeks to appraise the effectiveness of CEBA mechanisms being adopted and utilized in this region. Using community assessment and rural appraisal tools this research paper found that indeed some CEBA practices are innovative and effective and are enhancing the adaptability and resilience of the local people in agriculture in this region. The paper recommends that the advancement, funding, and integration of innovative and effective CEBA practices with scientific knowledge and the ultimate replication and incorporation of these practices into developmental and climate change policies can be one of the most beneficial and effective ways for a sustainable, adaptive, and resilient agriculture sector in the face of a changing and unpredictable climate.

The vulnerability of Social–Ecological Systems (SES) is a frontier research topic in the field of geography. Research on drought vulnerability has emerged as a key area of focus in the study of SES vulnerability, and it has increasingly been recognized as a critical step in formulating policies for drought prevention and mitigation. In this study, the indicator system for drought vulnerability evaluation of SES in the Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) was established. This paper revealed the drought vulnerability evolution process and characteristics, and key driving indicators of SES at county-town-village spatial scales in six time periods of 1990, 2000, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2023, and predicted the drought vulnerability of SES in 2050 under two scenarios. Results indicate that the average drought vulnerability in the TRHR decreased from 0.526 in 1990 to 0.444 in 2023. Compared to 1990, among the 82 selected towns, 85.37% experienced a decline in 2023, and among the 152 selected villages, 95.39% showed a reduction in 2023. Hot spots of drought vulnerability were concentrated in the southeast of the TRHR, while cold spots were in the northwest. From 1990 to 2000, the drought vulnerability of counties and towns in the TRHR increased, but it decreased between 2000 and 2023. In 1990, Henan County exhibited the highest drought vulnerability at the county level. Waeryi Town in Jiuzhi County had the highest vulnerability among towns, while Suojia Town in Zhidoi County had the lowest. Of the 152 selected villages, 41.45% exhibited relatively high or high levels of drought vulnerability, while 23.68% showed relatively low levels. In 2023, Jiuzhi County became the most vulnerable county, with Baiyu Town in Jiuzhi County ranking highest among towns and Suojia Town in Zhidoi County remaining the least vulnerable. At the village level, 22.37% exhibited relatively high or high vulnerability, whereas 42.11% showed relatively low or low levels. Drought disaster records, the proportion of agricultural and animal husbandry output value, the proportion of grassland, the proportion of large livestock, and the per capita disposable income surface are the key factors influencing drought vulnerability in the TRHR. By 2050, under the first scenario, the average drought vulnerability of the TRHR is projected to be 0.428, indicating a medium level, while the second scenario predicts a further reduction to 0.350, representing a relatively low level. The adaptive governance strategies to mitigate drought vulnerability in the TRHR include developing an integrated drought management system; establishing an ecological management, protection, and financial support model; and so on. Overall, this paper can provide scientific references and policy recommendations for policymakers and researchers on the aspects of drought vulnerability and sustainable development of SES.

The Greater Himalayas hold the largest mass of ice outside polar regions and are the source of the 10 largest rivers in Asia. Rapid reduction in the volume of Himalayan glaciers due to climate change is occurring. The cascading effects of rising temperatures and loss of ice and snow in the region are affecting, for example, water availability (amounts, seasonality), biodiversity (endemic species, predator-prey relations), ecosystem boundary shifts (tree-line movements, high-elevation ecosystem changes), and global feedbacks (monsoonal shifts, loss of soil carbon). Climate change will also have environmental and social impacts that will likely increase uncertainty in water supplies and agricultural production for human populations across Asia. A common understanding of climate change needs to be developed through regional and local-scale research so that mitigation and adaptation strategies can be identified and implemented. The challenges brought about by climate change in the Greater Himalayas can only be addressed through increased regional collaboration in scientific research and policy making.

<p>This thesis investigates the impacts of floods and droughts in the Tonle Sap Lake region and examines to what extent the local communities’ indigenous knowledge (IK) is used to deal with floods and droughts. The thesis begins by exploring the Tonle Sap Lake communities’ perceptions of climate change, especially floods and droughts and their impacts on local livelihoods. It then examines how the communities have used their IK to develop livelihood adaptation methods to cope with floods and droughts. To conduct this study, a qualitative methodology was adopted using semi-structured interviews, and non-participant and unstructured observation as the main methods. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with local people and local authorities from two communities, and NGO staff. The study found that the intensity of floods and droughts in the Tonle Sap Lake region has increased in the last few years. Floods and droughts have threatened local livelihoods and food security. To mitigate the effects of floods and droughts, the local communities in this region have developed various livelihood adaptation strategies to adapt to the hazards. The communities appeared to use both IK and technologies for their adaptation strategies. IK is seen as an invaluable local community asset in developing livelihood adaptation methods. Although a mixture of IK and new knowledge has been used to develop various adaptation strategies, the sufficiency of the adaptation is still limited. The current severity of climate change is seen to limit the local communities’ response capacities. To strengthen the communities’ adaptation capacity, contribution and involvement from non-governmental organisations and the government in developing climate change adaptation policy at a local level are essential.</p>

<p>This thesis investigates the impacts of floods and droughts in the Tonle Sap Lake region and examines to what extent the local communities’ indigenous knowledge (IK) is used to deal with floods and droughts. The thesis begins by exploring the Tonle Sap Lake communities’ perceptions of climate change, especially floods and droughts and their impacts on local livelihoods. It then examines how the communities have used their IK to develop livelihood adaptation methods to cope with floods and droughts. To conduct this study, a qualitative methodology was adopted using semi-structured interviews, and non-participant and unstructured observation as the main methods. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with local people and local authorities from two communities, and NGO staff. The study found that the intensity of floods and droughts in the Tonle Sap Lake region has increased in the last few years. Floods and droughts have threatened local livelihoods and food security. To mitigate the effects of floods and droughts, the local communities in this region have developed various livelihood adaptation strategies to adapt to the hazards. The communities appeared to use both IK and technologies for their adaptation strategies. IK is seen as an invaluable local community asset in developing livelihood adaptation methods. Although a mixture of IK and new knowledge has been used to develop various adaptation strategies, the sufficiency of the adaptation is still limited. The current severity of climate change is seen to limit the local communities’ response capacities. To strengthen the communities’ adaptation capacity, contribution and involvement from non-governmental organisations and the government in developing climate change adaptation policy at a local level are essential.</p>

Weaving scientific and local knowledge on climate change impacts in coastal Kenya, Western Indian Ocean