Vulnerability and adaptive capacity in forestry in northern Europe: a Swedish case study

Climate change is likely to present new and substantially unpredictable challenges to human societies. The prospect is of particular concern at the local and regional levels, since vulnerability and adaptive capacity are location-specific and many decisions regarding climate-induced risks are made a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Climatic change 2008-03, Vol.87 (1-2), p.219-234
Main Author: Keskitalo, E. Carina H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Atmospheric Sciences
Case studies
Climate change
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Climate studies
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Ecosystem studies
Forestry
Globalization
Greenhouse effect
Impact analysis
Literature reviews
Meetings
Perceptions
River basins
Socioeconomic factors
Stakeholders
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Summary:Climate change is likely to present new and substantially unpredictable challenges to human societies. The prospect is of particular concern at the local and regional levels, since vulnerability and adaptive capacity are location-specific and many decisions regarding climate-induced risks are made at those levels. In this light, one is compelled to survey stakeholders' understandings of their situation and perceived problems. Assessments should also include the context of other ongoing changes, such as globalisation, that will impact communities and exacerbate their vulnerabilities. This paper presents an assessment of vulnerability and adaptive capacity in the forestry sector in the Pite River basin in northern Sweden. The study was carried out using a multi-method design encompassing literature surveys, interviews with stakeholders, and stakeholder meetings. The paper concludes that while climate change will have an impact on the region, its effect will be superseded by that of broader socio-economic changes. The results illustrate the need to understand local and regional perceptions of adaptation in formulating appropriate policy measures.
ISSN:0165-0009
1573-1480
1573-1480
DOI:10.1007/s10584-007-9337-1