Adaptation in collaborative governance regimes

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Public administration
• Social science

Background:

• Adaptation and adaptive capacity are key concerns for human and environmental systems.
• Collaborative governance systems are often promoted for flexibility, but adaptive capacity has received less attention.
• This research bridges the literature on collaborative governance and adaptive capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify and distinguish collaborative capacity from adaptive capacity within collaborative governance regimes.
• To explore the linkages between collaborative and adaptive capacities.
• To understand their contributions to adaptive action and institutional adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review bridging collaborative governance and adaptive capacity scholarship.
• Identification of four common dimensions of capacity: structural arrangements, leadership, knowledge and learning, and resources.
• Illustrative case study analysis within the National Estuary Program's watershed management.

Main Results:

• Four common dimensions of capacity were identified: structural arrangements, leadership, knowledge and learning, and resources.
• Collaborative capacities were found to generate associated adaptive capacities.
• These linkages enable institutional adaptation within collaborative governance regimes.

Conclusions:

• Distinguishing collaborative and adaptive capacities is crucial for understanding institutional adaptation.
• Collaborative governance regimes can be enhanced by focusing on building both collaborative and adaptive capacities.
• Effective watershed management relies on the interplay between collaborative efforts and adaptive strategies.