Spatiotemporal determinants of seasonal gleaning

Many coastal communities depend on ecosystems for goods and services that contribute to human well-being. As long-standing interactions between people nature are modified by global environmental change, dynamic diversified livelihood strategies enable seasonal adaptation will be critical vulnerable communities. However, the success of such depends a range poorly understood influences. Gleaning, hand-based collection marine organisms from littoral habitats, provides an interesting case study change in social-ecological interactions. It is important strategy, yet gleaning dynamics have not been empirically explored contemporary We examined eight Atauro Island, Timor-Leste, using household surveys satellite-derived maps shallow-water benthic habitats. Our analysis factors affecting decisions glean each season, relationship seafood consumption, pressure near-shore resources. Dynamic harvesting differed among households activity was seasonally heterogeneous. Not all gleaned during season characterised rough sea conditions despite being associated with greater consumption stability seasons. Households also less regularly, catches were smaller, season. Differences participation explained mostly type extent shallow habitat proximate community. In calm positively related total area habitat, percentage hard-bottom predictor activity. findings illustrate how changes biophysical environment mediate human–nature at fine scales through time space. Consequently, this research highlights importance context-specific perspectives understanding drivers fishing ecosystems, access ecosystem benefits limits adaptation. Factors influencing when activities feasible desirable evaluating social impacts climate particularly context rural Global South. A free Plain Language Summary can found within Supporting Information article.