Climate Change and the Capricorn Coast: an analysis of stewardship potential

Abstract

The Great Barrier Reef is predicted to change significantly over the next 50 years as a result of climate change. These changes will alter the nature and dynamics of the marine ecosystem and will consequently affect the operations and activities of Reef -reliant communities. Stewardship involves acknowledging shared responsibility for the ecosystem. Stewardship approaches are being used in international contexts as one way to build climate change resilience in communities reliant on natural systems. Understanding the motivations, influences and mechanisms that drive successful stewardship action will allow for innovative strategies to build adaptive capacity and community resilience to the impacts of climate change.