Agricultural adaptation mainstreaming and its study through a systemic adaptation assessment framework: a sub-alpine case-study

Abstract

This paper presents a systemic Adaptation Assessment Framework (AAF) conceived to guide agricultural adaptation mainstreaming into broader policy domains, particularly, those related to rural development. Starting from a review of the main phases and linkages within the adaptation process, the AAF is built around key Land Surface Modelling, Multi-Criteria Evaluation and Decision-Making informative capabilities. The resulting quantitative, comparative and integrative concepts and findings are explored to answer fundamental questions: “what to adapt”, “how to adapt”, and “who adapts”. From this, a refreshing outlook of the targets, mechanisms and attitudes that shape agricultural adaptation is proposed as part of transformational changes, multifunctional landscapes, resilience building, and sustainable agriculture. These visions are seen here as mainstreaming facilitators. Finally, the AAF is tested on two regional-type sub-alpine study cases, revealing different mainstreaming possibilities in a context of climate change.