An analysis of organisational adaptation to climate change: the case of the Bardiya National Park

This research is concerned with understanding how the management authority of the Bardiya National Park (the BNPMA) is able to adapt to the pressures of increasing climate variability and change. To that end, this study employs a mixed-methods case study approach to elucidate the key drivers of change facing the BNPMA, the processes through which the organisation adapts to these challenges, and the factors that enable and constrain action. In doing so it intends to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the potential future effectiveness of adaptation interventions. Analysis of local weather data, in conjunction with data obtained from village level surveys, highlights a number of climatic trends which, along with related environmental changes are shown to have an important role in driving change within the BNPMA. A range of anthropogenic drivers are also shown to be relevant. The factors enabling and constraining the BNPMA’s ability to respond to these identified drivers of change are subsequently examined through the analysis of data obtained from Likert questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and field observations. Organisational systems, culture, internal resources and the process of knowledge generation and sharing are all found to play a pivotal role in determining the capacity of the BNPMA to respond to its drivers of change. The final analytical section of this thesis uses three examples to evaluate the learning processes through which the BNPMA operationalises its adaptive capacity and mobilises it as adaptive management interventions. Drawing on the results of semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, official park documents, and fieldwork observations, three distinct types of learning are identified within the organisation. In conclusion, this study argues that learning plays a key role in adaptive management approaches to conservation and in operationalising organisational adaptive capacity, enabling the BNPMA to effectively respond to new challenges. However, further research is needed to assess the wider applicability of the drivers of change highlighted in this study, within Nepal and beyond, as well as the interplay of components of adaptive capacity in conservation organisations and the learning processes through which this capacity is mobilised.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mercer, Simon

Language dc:language

en