Community perceptions of climate change and ecosystem-based adaptation in the mangrove ecosystem of the Rufiji Delta, Tanzania

Mangroves are increasingly recognized for their role in supporting adaptation to climate change and variability. However, knowledge about how variability affect mangrove ecosystem services (MES) coastal communities adaption is limited Tanzania. We used participatory rural appraisal methods field observations explore local communities' perceptions of variability, ecosystem-based (EbA) strategies the mangroves Rufiji Delta, Decrease rainfall, increased temperatures, flooding, incidence sea level rise were identified as key variables associated with a changing delta. Perceived climatic stresses included damaged fish breeding sites, altered regulation decrease protection flood control. Decline crop, honey production perceived main impacts on community livelihoods, although there significant differences across occupational groups. Dependence MES times shocks, such when agriculture fails, switching occupation, crop diversification, fishing deep waters migration other areas provided potential options. Although reported related or not explicit, they both have negative consequences dependent livelihoods.