Benefits of ecosystem-based approaches for climate change in least developed countries
The EcoAdapt project aims to identify appropriate adaptation interventions in the coastal zone of Pacific island states and territories in the face of rapidly changing climate and ongoing capital-intensive developments.
In particular, we are investigating the advantages and limitations of:
- ecosystem-based approaches
- soft-engineering approaches that use natural processes
- hard-engineered solutions
Coastal adaptations need to be evaluated in terms of their impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, the extent to which they disrupt natural processes, and the benefits they provide for the sustainable livelihoods of local communities, among other things.
Combating climate change in the Pacific
Climate change is presenting an existential threat in the Pacific; with island nation states not only a loss of property, but a loss of culture and identity. The EcoAdapt project identifies ecosystem-based approaches for climate change adaptation in the coastal zone of Pacific island states and territories in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
Latest EcoAdapt publication
The latest research article from the EcoAdapt team focuses on the social benefit cost analysis of ecosystem-based climate change adaptation in Tanna. The team found that funds targeted at increasing the productivity of the gardens returns significant social benefit & important complimentary benefits. The programme design included interlinking activities, including a series of demonstration garden plots, extension officers, community radio, a community ranger programme & a tree nursery.
The project researchers
The EcoAdapt team is multidisciplinary. It includes researchers from the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith School of Business, Griffith School of Environment, Australian Rivers Institute and the Griffith Institute for Tourism.