Climate Adaptation Planning in the Monterey Bay Region: An Iterative Spatial Framework for Engagement at the Local Level

Abstract

The Monterey Bay Region benefits from science-based adaptation planning that places value on a healthy social-ecological ecosystem. We co-developed a methodological engagement framework to support an iterative place-based process among natural resource managers, the planning community, and the community of technical experts (e.g., economists, scientists, lawyers). In collaboration with local decision makers, we are evaluating the effects of adaptation strategies on ecosystem services provided by natural dune and wetland systems to inform decision making at the local government level. Here, we present the Center for Ocean Solutions' transferable engagement framework designed to evaluate viable climate adaptation planning alternatives using spatial analysis and data visualization techniques.

Mainstreaming climate adaptation in spatial planning. The case of Baixa Pombalina in Lisbon

“…Adaptation planning is an iterative process of analysing, selecting and prioritising options in response to climate change impacts (Reiter, Wedding, Hartge, LaFeir, & Caldwell, 2015). In the last years many approaches have been developed providing guidance to organisations in planning adaptation strategies, as the UKCIP Adaptation Wizard (UKCIP, 2013).…”

Values at the Land-Sea Interface: Mapping Ecosystem Services in the Coastal Environment

“…The dune habitat surrounding Doran Beach in Sonoma County provides the ecosystem service of coastal protection. Courtesy of Eric Hartge manage coastal resources in a changing climate, the Natural Capital Project and the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions have engaged in several case studies to embed ecosystem service science in practice (Verutes and Rosenthal 2014;Langridge et al 2014;Reiter et al 2015;Wedding et al 2016). We developed this lab to foster skills-based learning in a cross-cutting exercise that provides learning outcomes with both scientific methods and policy implications.…”