Governance mapping: A framework for assessing the adaptive capacity of marine resource governance to environmental change

Marine social-ecological systems are influenced by the way humans interact with their environment, and external forces, which change and re-shape the environment. In many regions, exploitation of marine resources and climate change are two of the primary drivers shifting the abundance and distribution of marine living resources, with negative effects on marine-dependent communities. Governance systems determine 'who' makes decisions, 'what' are their powers and responsibilities, and 'how' they are exercised. Understanding the structure and operation of governance and its role in shaping human-environment interactions is critical to address issues related to changes in marine resources. The paper provides an analysis framework with a practical example from Vanuatu, for mapping and assessment of diverse governance systems providing for management of marine resources. The framework enables a rapid description and assessment of governance systems to identify factors that can encourage, or hinder, the adaptation of communities to changes in abundance or availability of marine resources.