Communities in Pacific small island states face a range of threats to their management of natural resources, exacerbated by change-related risks, all against the backdrop of social and economic transition. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) describes a class of interventions that manage climatic change-related risks, which is argued to be relevant for such communities. Understanding local constraints and enabling conditions for EbA implementation is important in informing project implementation. We used Qmethodology to reveal principle discourses within a community in Vanuatu and among stakeholders with knowledge of the challenges confronting that community. We analysed stakeholders to determine whether particularly-held discourses correlate with demographic attributes. Our research revealed three principle discourses we called Strong Kastom, Kastom + Health and Tentative Modernity. Perspectives from each discourse need to be taken into account when identifying and evaluating adaptation options. Our results suggest adaptation interventions are more likely to resonate with the community if they support customary natural resource management, reflect traditional knowledge, provide opportunities for generating income, and promote gender equity in decision-making. Our results also suggest external practitioners do not necessarily consider income generation as being important to community livelihoods. Ignoring a community's perspectives, values, and priorities risks undermining the viability of EbA projects.
Through partnership between The Griffith Centre for Coastal Management and the City of Gold C successful education program "CoastEd" was created since 2001 with a focus on the coastal env Complimentary educational sessions are delivered to schools, community groups and residents. Topic beach health, coastal processes and tourism, to mangrove environments and climate change. The scho match the Australian Curriculum and community programs are increasingly popular. The unique co between a city council and a research centre has resulted in improved communication to the comm programs are delivered by industry professionals with an extensive teaching background. The awar program has been operational for 1 5 years and is highly respected in the community. CoastEd is a k for queries the local community may have with regards to coastal protection. This paper will highlight s successful techniques we have used to increase awareness on certain pressing topics such as climate ch protection and biodiversity.
DuneWatch is a citizen science project established in 2015 by the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management. It provides an opportunity for community members to assist in collecting vital information on the health of the sand dunes. Data is collected at eleven sites along the Gold Coast coastline with each site visited within a 4-week period. The program monitors the impact of BeachCare's community planting days as well as helping to create adaptive management strategies for implementing species density and diversity, through the collection of data-Flora, fauna, human impact and slope measurements. Data collected through the DuneWatch program will expand our knowledge of the local dune system as well as monitor the progress of BeachCare. DuneWatch has the potential to be undertaken as a citizen science program for other coastal community and land care groups nationally.
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