Social-ecological change
has driven smallholder farmers throughout the world to employ a diverse array
of adaptation strategies. Social, economic, and cultural factors along with
environmental changes have been widely studied as determinants of adaptation decision-making.
Increasingly, scholars are also examining the role of values in these
decisions. Many have posited that adaptation to social-ecological change will
necessitate tradeoffs of these values; however, little empirical work has been
done to identify and examine these tradeoffs. In response to this gap, we first
identify how farmers and fishers adapted to multiple social-ecological
stressors in northwestern Pakistan. Second, we investigate how
social-ecological factors, perceived changes, and perceived costs influence
adaptation decision-making and adaptive capacity. Third, we examine the role of and tradeoffs
between values in adaptation decision-making.
Based on our findings, we posit that in addition to the identification
of values, it is also necessary to examine values as they relate to one
another, change over time, and are embedded in multi-scalar processes. This
will allow us to more fully understand the factors that influence adaptation
decisions and support more equitable strategies that align with stakeholders’
diverse values.