A Framework to Quantify Adaptation to Multiple Drivers

TL;DR

This paper introduces an analytical framework to measure how coupled ecological-economic systems adapt to multiple drivers, distinguishing between positive and negative impacts, with application to North Sea flatfish fishery.

Contribution

It presents a novel framework for quantifying adaptation and sensitivities in ecological-economic systems, bridging adaptability theory and bio-economic modeling.

Findings

Quantifies impacts of multiple drivers on fishery profits.

Identifies drivers with the most significant adaptation responses.

Provides insights for resource allocation to enhance positive impacts.

Abstract

We develop an analytical framework to assess the adaptations in a coupled ecological-economic system and apply it to a bio-economic model. Our framework allows us to quantify the impact of multiple drivers on a coupled ecological-economic system, while distinguishing between adaptation and sensitivities to positive and negative exposures. This distinction allows us to differentiate between drivers that improve and decrease well-being. Our findings provide insight into how to focus resources to counteract negative or enhance positive impacts. We apply this framework to a bio-economic model calibrated to the North Sea flatfish fishery. We quantify the adaptations, sensitivities and total impact of fishers' profits to multiple drivers and identify among which of them fishers adapt the most. This work forms a bridge between the multidisciplinary area of adaptability and the bio-economic modelling domain,increasing the understanding and knowledge regarding the measure of adaptation.