Talk on Adaptive Capacity Research

Cape Perpetua, aerial view from the north.\Photo courtesy of ODFW.

The Cape Perpetua Young Scientist series of online talks continues with “Understanding Adaptive Capacity: An Analysis of Community Perceptions and Policy Responses to Ocean Acidification and other marine stressors on the West Coast,” on Tuesday, April 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m.  The speaker is Victoria Williams, a Master of Public Policy student at Oregon State University.

A description of the talk:  Ocean acidification disrupts the carbonate chemistry of coastal ecosystems, which indirectly and directly affects communities that depend on critical marine organisms. Ocean acidification research typically seeks to understand natural system responses; yet, there is insufficient research that examines community and institutional responses or, more generally, their vulnerability to ocean acidification. Considering the insufficient information to direct policy efforts to combat ocean acidification, this project aims to understand the Dungeness crabbers’ perceptions of the adaptive capacity of ocean acidification and other environmental stressors. By understanding the perceptions of the four coastal communities, alongside perceptions of Oregonian decision and policy makers, the project hopes to contribute to broader efforts to apply human adaptive capacity to ocean acidification.

Victoria Williams is pursuing her Master of Public Policy student from Oregon State University and working with Dr. Ana Spalding to analyze adaptive capacity along the West Coast. Her graduate research aims to understand the Dungeness crabbers’ perceptions of their ability to adapt to ocean acidification (OA) and other environmental stressors. Through interviews and policy analysis, Victoria hopes to provide an assessment of the Oregon Dungeness crab industry ability to adapt to OA and other environmental stressors. Victoria graduated in ’19 from the University of Richmond, with her BSc in Environmental Studies and Anthropology, where she explored the intersectionality of environmental change in marine ecosystems and corresponding human effects within the coastal communities.

To register for this talk, go here.