CR prepress abstract  -  doi: 10.3354/cr00751

ABSTRACT: Developing a shared understanding of the specific climate change challenges for a particular sector is a vital precursor to effective, research–based, support for adaptation in policy and practice. Without processes for developing such shared understandings serious comprehension gaps between research, policy and practice communities can arise. A social-learning approach to reducing this comprehension gap is presented; undertaking a cooperative assessment with land management stakeholders of preferences for agro-meteorological metrics and co-developing of a framework of climate change indicators. The assessment process deliberated on candidate agro-meteorological metrics for case-study locations in Scotland. The preferences, prioritizing and parameterisation for indicators and their presentation were elicited in group interviews and focus groups. A coherent set of indicators was identified to serve as a framework to support awareness raising activities and stimulate deliberation on possible adaptation strategies. While the meteorological summaries were effective in highlighting the nature of the change the agro-meteorological metrics were more effective in encouraging stakeholders to consider possible impacts on their land use systems and how they might adapt. The credibility of the indicators and the case study data was enhanced through debate and customisation. The authors recommend including a strong social learning based component within any climate change research communication strategy. Communicating the outcomes of research in a credible and relevant way increases the likelihood of stimulating positive adaptive change.