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Adaptive capacity to climate change: A synthesis of concepts, methods, and findings in a fragmented field

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  • A.R. Siders

Abstract

Adaptive capacity is an important element of long‐term adaptation to climate change and is the focus of a rapidly growing body of research. Interdisciplinary growth has the potential to introduce new methods and insights, but it could also cause fragmentation and hamper methodological development or limit transfer of academic insights to climate change adaptation practice. This article uses qualitative content, bibliometric, and citation network analyses to systematically review the scope, methods, and findings of 276 studies on adaptive capacity of social and social‐ecological systems. The review demonstrates that adaptive capacity research is highly interdisciplinary; covers a wide range of sectors, geographic locations, and scales of analysis; and is highly fragmented. The majority of empirical studies are isolated by lack of comparative work and cross‐field citation. Forty‐six percent of studies reviewed do not cite prior works on adaptive capacity: even those on similar topics in the same geographic location. Methods to assess adaptive capacity have proliferated to include more than 64 indicator‐based indices or frameworks and 37 proxy outcome measures. The article argues that lack of either consensus or debate across the literature raises concerns that scientific progress in the field may be constrained and the ability of adaptive capacity research to inform adaptation practice may be limited. To promote consistency and transparency in future work, 158 determinants of adaptive capacity are defined and illustrated with common assessment indicators and examples. Additional opportunities for progress are noted with suggestions for future research. This article is categorized under: Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation

Suggested Citation

  • A.R. Siders, 2019. "Adaptive capacity to climate change: A synthesis of concepts, methods, and findings in a fragmented field," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(3), May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:wirecc:v:10:y:2019:i:3:n:e573
    DOI: 10.1002/wcc.573
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    1. Tri Sulistyaningsih & Achmad Nurmandi & Muhammad Kamil & Ali Roziqin & Salahudin & Jainuri & Iradhad Taqwa Sihidi & Ach. Apriyanto Romadhan & Mohammad Jafar Loilatu, 2021. "Formulating Sustainable Watershed Governance Model: A Meta-analysis of Watershed Governance," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 10, March.
    2. Simon Tscholl & Sebastian Candiago & Thomas Marsoner & Helder Fraga & Carlo Giupponi & Lukas Egarter Vigl, 2024. "Climate resilience of European wine regions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Kristen M. Green & Jennifer C. Selgrath & Timothy H. Frawley & William K. Oestreich & Elizabeth J. Mansfield & Jose Urteaga & Shannon S. Swanson & Francisca N. Santana & Stephanie J. Green & Josheena , 2021. "How adaptive capacity shapes the Adapt, React, Cope response to climate impacts: insights from small-scale fisheries," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Stephanie L. Barr & Christopher J. Lemieux, 2021. "Assessing organizational readiness to adapt to climate change in a regional protected areas context: lessons learned from Canada," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 1-21, December.
    5. Iain Brown & Pam Berry, 2022. "National Climate Change Risk Assessments to inform adaptation policy priorities and environmental sustainability outcomes: a knowledge systems perspective," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 1-24, December.
    6. Abdollahzadeh, Gholamhossein & Sharifzadeh, Mohammad Sharif & Sklenička, Petr & Azadi, Hossein, 2023. "Adaptive capacity of farming systems to climate change in Iran: Application of composite index approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    7. Jeremy Carter & S.M. Labib & Ian Mell, 2024. "Understanding and Assessing Climate Change Risk to Green Infrastructure: Experiences from Greater Manchester (UK)," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-22, May.
    8. Courtney Cronley & Amanda Fackler & Jennifer M. First & Sangwon Lee & Iris Tsouris, 2024. "Persons Experiencing Homelessness during Extreme Temperatures: Lessons for Promoting Socially Inclusive Adaptive Capacity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Witinok-Huber, Rebecca & Radil, Steven M., 2021. "Introducing the Local Agricultural Potential Index: An approach to understand local agricultural extension impact for farmer adaptive capacity and gender equity," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).
    10. Randazzo, Teresa & Pavanello, Filippo & De Cian, Enrica, 2023. "Adaptation to climate change: Air-conditioning and the role of remittances," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    11. Katarzyna Kocur-Bera & Szymon Czyża, 2023. "Socio-Economic Vulnerability to Climate Change in Rural Areas in the Context of Green Energy Development—A Study of the Great Masurian Lakes Mesoregion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, February.
    12. Yun Shi & Maurice Osewe & Chebet Anastacia & Aijun Liu & Shutao Wang & Abdul Latif, 2022. "Agricultural Supply-Side Structural Reform and Path Optimization: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.

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