I-C-SEA change: A participatory tool for rapid assessment of vulnerability of tropical coastal communities to climate change impacts

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Document Type

Article

Source Title

Ambio

Volume

44

Issue

8

First Page

718

Last Page

736

Publication Date

12-1-2015

Abstract

We present a synoptic, participatory vulnerability assessment tool to help identify the likely impacts of climate change and human activity in coastal areas and begin discussions among stakeholders on the coping and adaptation measures necessary to minimize these impacts. Vulnerability assessment tools are most needed in the tropical Indo-Pacific, where burgeoning populations and inequitable economic growth place even greater burdens on natural resources and support ecosystems. The Integrated Coastal Sensitivity, Exposure, and Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change (I-C-SEA Change) tool is built around a series of scoring rubrics to guide non-specialists in assigning scores to the sensitivity and adaptive capacity components of vulnerability, particularly for coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove habitats, along with fisheries and coastal integrity. These scores are then weighed against threat or exposure to climate-related impacts such as marine flooding and erosion. The tool provides opportunities for learning by engaging more stakeholders in participatory planning and group decision-making. It also allows for information to be collated and processed during a “town-hall” meeting, facilitating further discussion, data validation, and even interactive scenario building.

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Digitial Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s13280-015-0652-x

Disciplines

Biology | Environmental Studies

Keywords

Climatic changes; Coastal zone management; Tropics—Climate; Hazard mitigation

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