title: Opportunistic management of estuaries under climate change: A new adaptive decision-making framework and its practical application.
abstract: Ongoing coastal development and the prospect of severe climate change impacts present pressing estuary management and governance challenges. Robust approaches must recognise the intertwined social and ecological vulnerabilities of estuaries. Here, a new governance and management framework is proposed that recognises the integrated social-ecological systems of estuaries so as to permit transformative adaptation to climate change within these systems. The framework lists stakeholders and identifies estuarine uses and values. Goals are categorised that are specific to ecosystems, private property, public infrastructure, and human communities. Systematic adaptation management strategies are proposed with conceptual examples and associated governance approaches. Contrasting case studies are used to illustrate the practical application of these ideas. The framework will assist estuary managers worldwide to achieve their goals, minimise maladaptative responses, better identify competing interests, reduce stakeholder conflict and exploit opportunities for appropriate ecosystem restoration and sustainable development.
authors: Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Bill.Peirson@wrl.unsw.edu.au.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Peirson
authors: Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Erica
authors: E
authors: Davey
authors: Division of Invertebrates, Australian Museum Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Jones
authors: Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
authors: Wade
authors: W
authors: Hadwen
authors: Aquatic Ecologist, Sugar Creek Rd., Bungwahl, NSW 2423, Australia.
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Bishop
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Beger
authors: Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Capon
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Fairweather
authors: Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, NSW, Australia.
authors: Bob
authors: B
authors: Creese
authors: Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia.
authors: Timothy F
authors: TF
authors: Smith
authors: Coastal Ecosystems & Water Quality Group, Environment & Sustainability Branch, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
authors: Leigh
authors: L
authors: Gray
authors: Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
authors: Rodger
authors: R
authors: Tomlinson
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003657:Decision Making; D017753:Ecosystem; D063366:Estuaries; D006076:Government; D006801:Humans
keywords: Climate change adaptation; Coastal fisheries; Coastal water quality; Environmental flows; Estuaries; Ports; Rehabilitation