Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: strengthening the evidence and informing policy. Research results from the Adaptation, Vulnerability and Ecosystems (AVE) project, Costa Rica and Panama

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

This report presents the findings from a literature review and interviews with a wide variety of stakeholders conducted by IUCN at the project site in the Sixaola River basin in Costa Rica and Panama, where local farms have adopted integrated farming methods, and evidence on the benefits derived from EbA is being collected, synthesised and used to support the adoption of effective EbA in the design of policies, governance structures and decision-making processes. The project has also developed a monitoring and evaluation methodology to understand EbA’s contribution to food and water security.

The report concludes that project activities improved community resilience and adaptive capacity, and reduced community vulnerability. The project has also improved ecosystem resilience and helped maintain or restore ecosystem services, although it could take time for improvements to the delivery of some services to materialise.