Indicators and participatory processes: a framework for assessing integrated climate vulnerability and risk as applied in Los Angeles County, California

Abstract Climate vulnerability research is enhanced by stakeholder engagement as coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven impacts, yet these impacts rarely evenly distributed across space and feedback not always well incorporated into the process. While often used in applied management applications, integrated spatially explicit assessments of multi-faceted hazard less commonly appear scientific literature, especially those that transferable geographies risk metrics. Since many lack an integrated, stakeholder-driven assessment multiple hazards vulnerabilities within same assessment, scientists with National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Centers for Coastal Ocean Science developed a community framework (Framework) relies primarily upon available secondary data supplemented stakeholder-derived primary data. Using blended approaches engagement, we present Framework’s six methodological steps recently Los Angeles County, California: iterative partner indicator index development, reengagement adaptation action. We conclude boundary-spanning organizations such Sea Grant Extension programs can play crucial role participatory science needs assessments, emphasize need continued climate science.