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Can Perceptions of Environmental and Climate Change in Island Communities Assist in Adaptation Planning Locally?

Global 5 July 2015 Research and Analysis
Shankar Aswani, Ismael Vaccaro, Kristen Abernethy, Simon Albert & Javier Fernández-López de Pablo

Using ethnographic and geospatial research methods, this paper investigates community perceptions of climate-related changes in the Solomon islands. The researchers asked about changes, causes, timing and adaptive measures. Using geographical information system (GIS) the researchers created base maps of these perceived changes. The results showed that the people were able to identify acute changes such as water clarity and agricultural diseases but were less away of gradual shifts. The research recommends using a mix of scientific studies and local observations to document ongoing ecological changes.

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