Evaluating Social and Ecological Vulnerability of Coral Reef Fisheries to Climate Change

Cinner, J. E., et al., 2013. PloS one

Original research (primary data)
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Abstract

There is an increasing need to evaluate the links between the social and ecological dimensions of human vulnerability to climate change. We use an empirical case study of 12 coastal communities and associated coral reefs in Kenya to assess and compare five key ecological and social components of the vulnerability of coastal social-ecological systems to temperature induced coral mortality [specifically: 1) environmental exposure; 2) ecological sensitivity; 3) ecological recovery potential; 4) social sensitivity; and 5) social adaptive capacity]. We examined whether ecological components of vulnerability varied between government operated no-take marine reserves, community-based reserves, and openly fished areas. Overall, fished sites were marginally more vulnerable than community-based and government marine reserves. Social sensitivity was indicated by the occupational composition of each community, including the importance of fishing relative to other occupations, as well as the susceptibility of different fishing gears to the effects of coral bleaching on target fish species. Key components of social adaptive capacity varied considerably between the communities. Together, these results show that different communities have relative strengths and weaknesses in terms of social-ecological vulnerability to climate change.

Case studies

Basic information

  • Case ID: INT-053-2
  • Intervention type: Combination
  • Intervention description:

    recently established community co-managed fisheries closures (‘‘tengefus’’ in Swahili)

  • Landscape/sea scape ecosystem management: No
  • Climate change impacts Effect of Nbs on CCI Effect measures
    Loss of food production  Positive ecological vulnerability - made up of several indicators of both ecological sensitivity and ecological recovery potential
  • Approach implemented in the field: Yes
  • Specific location:

    coastal communities along the Kenyan coast

  • Country: Kenya
  • Habitat/Biome type: Coral reefs |
  • Issue specific term: Community-based (general)

Evidence

  • Notes on intervention effectivness: effectiveness compared to no-adaptation management (heavily fished reefs) ecological vulnerability is a measure of effectiveness for reducing impacts to humans because it determines the exposure of people to the climate impacts unclear social impacts b/c measure social vulnerability at each site but do not analyze whether the intervention is having an effect on these social components
  • Is the assessment original?: Yes
  • Broadtype of intervention considered: Another NbS
  • Compare effectivness?: No
  • Compared to the non-NBS approach: Not applicable
  • Report greenhouse gas mitigation?: No
  • Impacts on GHG: Not applicable
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on natural ecosystems: Yes
  • Impacts for the ecosystem: Positive
  • Ecosystem measures: ecological vulnerability - made up of several indicators of both ecological sensitivity and ecological recovery potential
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on people: Yes
  • Impacts for people: Unclear
  • People measures: social sensitivity and adaptive capacity
  • Considers economic costs: No
  • Economic appraisal conducted: No
  • Economic appraisal described:
  • Economic costs of alternative considered: No
  • Compared to an alternative: Not reported

Evaluation methodology

  • Type of data: Quantitative
  • Is it experimental: Yes
  • Experimental evalution done: In-situ/field
  • Non-experimental evalution done: Not applicable
  • Study is systematic:

Basic information

  • Case ID: INT-053-1
  • Intervention type: Protection
  • Intervention description:

    well established no-take National Marine Parks managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service

  • Landscape/sea scape ecosystem management: No
  • Climate change impacts Effect of Nbs on CCI Effect measures
    Loss of food production  Positive ecological vulnerability - made up of several indicators of both ecological sensitivity and ecological recovery potential
  • Approach implemented in the field: Yes
  • Specific location:

    coastal communities along the Kenyan coast

  • Country: Kenya
  • Habitat/Biome type: Coral reefs |
  • Issue specific term: Not applicable

Evidence

  • Notes on intervention effectivness: effectiveness compared to no-adaptation management (heavily fished reefs) ecological vulnerability is a measure of effectiveness for reducing impacts to humans because it determines the exposure of people to the climate impacts unclear social impacts b/c measure social vulnerability at each site but do not analyze whether the intervention is having an effect on these social components
  • Is the assessment original?: Yes
  • Broadtype of intervention considered: Another NbS
  • Compare effectivness?: No
  • Compared to the non-NBS approach: Not applicable
  • Report greenhouse gas mitigation?: No
  • Impacts on GHG: Not applicable
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on natural ecosystems: Yes
  • Impacts for the ecosystem: Positive
  • Ecosystem measures: ecological vulnerability - made up of several indicators of both ecological sensitivity and ecological recovery potential
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on people: Yes
  • Impacts for people: Unclear
  • People measures: social sensitivity and adaptive capacity
  • Considers economic costs: No
  • Economic appraisal conducted: No
  • Economic appraisal described:
  • Economic costs of alternative considered: No
  • Compared to an alternative: Not reported

Evaluation methodology

  • Type of data: Quantitative
  • Is it experimental: Yes
  • Experimental evalution done: In-situ/field
  • Non-experimental evalution done: Not applicable
  • Study is systematic: