The Role of Transdisciplinary Research for Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

authored by: Markus Schermer, Rike Stotten, Ulrich Strasser, Gertraud MeiBl, Thomas Marke, Kristian Förster, Herbert Formayer
Abstract: While science widely acknowledges the necessity of climate change adaptation (CCA), concrete strategies for CCA by major land-use actor groups at a local level are largely missing. Immediate economic challenges often prevent the establishment of long-term collective strategies. However, collective decisions on a communal level regarding land use are crucial for CCA strategies, given the interdependencies of farming with forestry, tourism, and other economic sectors, especially in mountain areas. This paper presents inter- and trans-disciplinary learning processes, which have evolved into a project modelling the hydrological effects of combined future climate and land-use changes based on the combined scenarios of climate and socio-economic change in an Alpine valley (Brixental in Tyrol/Austria). Locally adapted scenarios illustrate future land-use changes as a result of both climate change and different socio-economic developments. The hydrological results show how an increase in the forested area reduces streamflow (as a measure of water availability) in the long term. For local stakeholders, the process demonstrated clearly the interdependence of different economic sectors and the necessity for collective action at a regional level to influence socio-economic development. Moreover, it made them aware that local decisions on future land use may influence the effects of climate change. Consistent storylines helped stakeholders to visualize a desired future and to see their scope of influence. The transdisciplinary research process allowed local stakeholders to translate the hydrological modelling results into a concrete local CCA strategy.
Organisation(s): Institute of Hydrology and Water Resources Management
External Organisation(s): University of Innsbruck
University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU)
Type: Article
Journal: Agronomy
Volume: 8
ISSN: 2073-4395
Publication date: 24.10.2018
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Agronomy and Crop Science
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 13 - Climate Action, SDG 15 - Life on Land
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8110237 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/4916 (Access: Open)