Anthropogenic climate change in European aquatic-terrestrial ecosystems affects ecosystem services and livability in coastal cities. The study examines the vulnerability of the UNESCO heritage site Venice and its Lagoon in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The critical literature review provides a framework for understanding the nature of the wicked problem of the threat of Sea Level Rise arising at the nexus of society and nature. It shows the scope of action for climate change adaptation employing a tentative governance model derived from synthesising literature. Essential governance principles of participation, adaptation, and anticipation are tested in this complex and highly dynamic setting of a managed intertidal wetland.
The analysis of the research unit Venice and its Lagoon shows how adopting governance principles determines the definition of the problem and the target image, resulting in a specific operationalisation of environmental governance or pathway. The study shows the evolving pathway and path dependencies in a site-specific context and provides a research design for the implementation of high-level concepts. It adds to research on analysing and designing transformational governance programs and integrative environmental strategies. The generic model of pathway analysis is an ideal case in the Weberian tradition that can be further tested in comparative and empirical studies.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2.0. RESEARCH DESIGN
2.2. Analytical Steps
2.2.1 Critical Literature Review / Model Building
2.2.2 Analysis: Model Testing with the Case
2.3. Assumptions
2.4. Limitations
3.0 THEORETICAL FRAMING
3.1. Governance Principles and Operationalisation
3.2. Participation
3.5. Adaptation
3.6. Anticipation
3.7. Tentative Model for Operationalising Environmental Governance and Analysing Pathways
4.0 ANALYTICAL SECTION
4.1 Part 1: Current State: The Nature of Wickedness
4.1.1. Morphology and Site-Specific Characteristics
4.1.2. Degradation History and Anthropogenic Pressure
4.1.3. Lagoon Protection
4.1.4. Current Drivers of Environmental Degradation
4.1.5. Accelerated Climate Change and the Risk of Inactivity.
4.2 Result: Current State in a Problem Tree
4.2 Part 2: Governance Analysis
4.2.1 Legal Framework: European and National Level
4.2.2 NATURA 2000 - Regulations and Directives
4.2.3 Institutionalised Decision-making: National and Regional Level
4.2.4 Application of Participative Governance Principles
4.2.6 Application of Adaptive Governance Principles
4.2.7. Application of Anticipatory Governance Principles
4.3. Result: Application of Governance Principles and Evolving Pathway
5. RESULT SECTION: PATHWAYS
6. DISCUSSION
7. OUTLOOK AND RECOMMENDATION
8. TABLES
9. REFERENCES
10. FOOTNOTES
Research Objectives and Themes
This study investigates how environmental governance can be operationalised to address the complex, "wicked" challenges of climate change and sea-level rise in the Venice Lagoon. It aims to identify governance gaps and propose a transformative model that integrates participation, adaptation, and anticipation to support sustainable development pathways.
- The vulnerability of the Venice Lagoon ecosystem to climate change and human pressure.
- Evaluation of existing governance structures and institutional decision-making.
- The role of participative, adaptive, and anticipatory principles in climate adaptation.
- Methodological application of problem tree analysis to map environmental degradation.
- Development of a tentative governance model for managing complex inter-tidal wetlands.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1.1. Morphology and Site-Specific Characteristics
Venice Lagoon is a back-barrier lagoon in the Northern Adriatic Sea with three inlets for inter-tidal sea water exchange (Barbier et al., 2011; Costanza et al., 2008; D’alpaos and D’alpaos, 2021) and has a fate between subsistence, silting, and eustatic sea-level change (Carbognin et al., 2010; Tosi et al., 2007; Teatini et al., 2012; Rovere, Stocchi and Vacchi, 2016): While the River Po Delta and the northern parts of the Lagoon are prone to river silting (Gaglio et al., 2017), the erosive forces of waves, wind and tides in an RSLR-scenario predict that the Southern Venice lagoon will eventually become part of the sea (Lionello et al., 2021). The RSLR scenario (fig.3) is supported by reports of increasing frequency of flooding events that facilitate sediment and dyke erosion, as well as by the increasing amount of precipitation and by rising surface mean water temperature during the last 70 years (Tognin et al., 2021; Facca et al., 2014; Tosi et al., 2018).
Venice Lagoon is the largest wetland in the Mediterranean Basin, around 550 km², of which ca. 432 are subject to tidal exchange (Brivio and Zilioli, 1996; Taramelli et al., 2021). Inter-tidal wetlands control flood and erosion and provide a habitat for endemic halophytes and bivalves to filter water. They also buffer the effects of eutrophication and pollution and provide nurseries for fish and habitats for wildlife and migrating birds (NOOA 2024xx). Over 60% of the Venice lagoon’s waters are exchanged with the sea during the tidal cycle through the three inlets of Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia, 400–900 m wide and 8–20 m deep (Bottazzo, 2017).
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the climate change challenges facing the Venice Lagoon and sets the core research question regarding operationalising environmental governance.
2.0. RESEARCH DESIGN: Describes the methodology, focusing on a meta-analysis of literature and the application of a tentative model to the case study.
3.0 THEORETICAL FRAMING: Establishes the conceptual foundation, defining governance principles like participation, adaptation, and anticipation.
4.0 ANALYTICAL SECTION: Examines the current state of the Venice Lagoon through a problem tree and evaluates existing governance frameworks.
5. RESULT SECTION: PATHWAYS: Discusses the findings regarding how governance principles are applied or missing in the context of sea-level rise.
6. DISCUSSION: Synthesises the study results, highlighting the mismatch between current governance structures and the complex needs of the ecosystem.
7. OUTLOOK AND RECOMMENDATION: Suggests future directions, emphasising the need for an integrated, site-specific governance approach.
Keywords
Venice Lagoon, Environmental Governance, Climate Change Adaptation, Sea-Level Rise, Participatory Governance, Ecosystem Services, Wetland Management, Transformation Pathways, Sustainability, Biodiversity, Integrated Management, Wicked Problem, Policy Analysis, Ecological Resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the intersection of climate change adaptation and environmental governance within the Venice Lagoon, specifically addressing how to manage complex inter-tidal ecosystems.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the morphological characteristics of the lagoon, the impact of anthropogenic pressures, current legislative frameworks (European and national), and the effectiveness of governance strategies.
What is the central research question?
The study asks what pathways evolve in the operationalisation of environmental governance and which models are suitable to analyse implementation pathways given the conflicts between development and environmental complexity.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a critical literature review, meta-analysis of peer-reviewed articles, and a problem tree method to map causes and effects related to environmental degradation.
What does the main body address?
It provides an in-depth analysis of the "wicked" nature of the Venice Lagoon case, evaluates specific governance principles in practice, and tests a tentative model for operationalising sustainability.
How would you describe the main keywords?
The keywords centre on the management of vulnerable wetlands, specifically focusing on the Venice Lagoon, adaptive governance, climate adaptation, and the integration of diverse stakeholder interests.
How does the M.O.S.E. system impact the lagoon's governance?
The M.O.S.E. flood barrier system is discussed as a major technical intervention that has triggered political and administrative debates, highlighting the conflict between hard engineering and ecosystem conservation.
Why does the author advocate for 'participative' governance?
The author argues that participative governance is necessary to balance conflicting interests, ensure informed decision-making, and create long-term social commitment to environmental goals.
What is the 'problem tree' approach used for?
It is used as a tool to visualise the multicausal complexity of the threats facing the lagoon, connecting accelerated climate change with specific socio-economic and environmental effects.
- Quote paper
- Christiane Gebhardt (Author), 2024, Venice and its Lagoon. The Environmental and Socio-Economic Dynamics of Climate Change Adaptation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1681379
