An adaptation capacity model in the face of climate change: A qualitative content analysis

Abstract Identifying the components of adaptation capacity (AC) of agricultural beneficiaries in the face of climate change lead to implementing strategies of better management in order to reduce damages caused by this change. This issue is of utmost importance in Iran with an arid and semi-arid climate, wherein about 25% of the population is comprised of agricultural beneficiaries. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify and analyze AC components of agricultural beneficiaries to present an appropriate model in the face of climate change. The study area was the Lake Urmia basin where the beneficiaries had been severely affected over the recent years. As a result, qualitative content analysis (QCA) based on the inductive logic was utilized as the research method. Accordingly, valid sources were selected, the existing theories and contents in the field of AC were investigated, and also purposeful interviews were conducted with individuals expertized in the subject-matter to extract and present an AC model of agricultural beneficiaries in the face of climate change. The results revealed that AC could be examined at individual, social, and organizational levels with its own various components. Paying attention to the components could enhance the capacity and thus could mitigate damages to the community. What distinguished the given model from other models reviewed was the examination of different levels (individual, social and organizational dimension) of AC simultaneously.