Case-study /

Developing and testing an improved methodology for the identification of impact and adaptation thresholds, key risk factors and potential adaptive responses

Map coast Netherlands
Illustration of the proposed case study. Source: Wageningen UR, IMARES (2010)

This case study aims to develop and test an improved methodology for the identification of impact and adaptation thresholds, key risk factors and potential adaptive responses. The improvements focus on two important aspects: 1) impacts of and adaptation to the full distribution of climatic conditions (including (changes in) variability and extremes), and 2) identification of and responding to adaptation thresholds.

The following research or policy questions will be addressed: (i) Are there salient adaptation thresholds in agriculture, nature and tourism sectors in the Rhine-Meuse Delta in the Netherlands triggered by climate change induced changes in the water system and/or proposed adaptation measures?, and (ii) Does recognition of potential thresholds change the requirement for water policy?

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 244012