In-Situ Adaptation and Coastal Vulnerabilities in Ghana and Tanzania
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Date
2019-06-03
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Publisher
The Journal of Environment & Development
Abstract
Coastal fisheries communities in sub-Saharan Africa are under high socioeconomic
vulnerability in the face of environmental pressures. This article contributes to the
current adaptation debate by revisiting the benefits of in-situ adaptation. We assess
possible in-situ adaptation strategies amid ongoing vulnerabilities by comparing
Ghana and Tanzania. A total of 441 household surveys were conducted in four
study sites. The major findings of the study are as follows: First, the three major
in-situ adaptation strategies are regular changes of nondestructive fisheries techniques,
alternative occupations, and collective action. Second, all three strategies
have a significant relationship with income change. Finally, the communities in
Tanzania utilized all three strategies more and performed better economically than
those in Ghana. On the basis of these insights, we suggest implications of in-situ
adaptation for future coastal development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Small-scale fisheries, In-situ adaptation, Poverty reduction, Coastal livelihoods, Climate change, Ghana, Tanzania