Assessing the Climate-Resilience of Small-Island Ecotourism A Social-Ecological Systems Approach to Coastal Vulnerability and Adaptive Governance
Authors
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Donny Juliandri Prihadi
donny.juliandri.prihadi@unpad.ac.idUniversitas Padjadjaran,
Indonesia
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Omar Jallow
University of Gambia,
Gambia
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Aminata Ceesay
Gambia College, Gambia
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Background. Small-island ecotourism systems face increasing climate-related threats due to coastal vulnerability, ecosystem degradation, and dependence on fragile natural resources. The interaction between environmental pressures, community livelihoods, tourism activities, and governance capacity creates complex challenges for achieving long-term climate resilience.
Purpose. This study aimed to assess the climate resilience of small-island ecotourism through a social-ecological systems approach by examining the relationships among coastal vulnerability, adaptive capacity, and governance mechanisms.
Method. A mixed-methods research design was employed by integrating quantitative assessments of ecological, social, tourism, and governance indicators with qualitative analysis from stakeholder interviews and field observations.
Results. The findings revealed that small-island ecotourism systems demonstrate moderate to high resilience, with social adaptation capacity and adaptive governance emerging as key drivers of resilience development. Ecological vulnerability, coastal ecosystem degradation, and tourism pressure remained major challenges affecting sustainability.
Conclusion. The study concludes that climate resilience in small-island ecotourism requires integrated strategies combining ecosystem conservation, community participation, sustainable tourism management, and adaptive governance frameworks. The research contributes a comprehensive assessment model for understanding resilience dynamics and supporting evidence-based climate adaptation planning in vulnerable coastal destinations.
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