Researching Climate Change and Socio-ecological Systems’ Vulnerability in the Coastal Areas of Tanzania: Some Theoretical Perspectives

Abstract

Most coastal communities are located directly adjacent to the sea and are exposed to climate change through various impacts which go beyond those that are purely geophysical and economic and include the impacts on spiritual and cultural connections to the sea as well. Understanding the interdependency of these subsystems has, however, remained rather superficial. Although a good number of socio-ecological systems (SES) studies have emerged from recent scholarship, there is still a disconnection between generating SES scientific studies and providing decision-relevant information to policy makers. On the other hand, classical studies focused on one or two disciplines are still most common, leading to incremental growth in knowledge about the natural or social system, but rarely both. The dearth of social data relating to human-nature interactions in this particular context is now seen as an omission which can often erode the efficacy of any resource management or conservation action. To address these shortcomings, this book collates eight case studies done in the coastal areas of Tanzania. The conceptual frameworks, applied models, and indices used to highlight the complex nature of SES and the dynamics that can inform environmental policy, conservation, and management of coastal resources in Tanzania are also synthesized.