Coastal Socio-Ecological Systems Adapting to Climate Change: A Global Overview

A systematic literature review was conducted on papers studying coastal socio-ecological systems (SESs) in adapting to climate change to support sustainable coastal management and contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. We selected, analyzed, and synthesized 173 peer-reviewed, English-language scientific publications using the PRISMA method. Firstly, we summarized and compared the selected literature; then, we explored its geographical distribution and respective coastal landscapes, and we identified and classified the adaptation strategies focused on different coastal landscapes. Furthermore, we processed the results obtained to develop a unique conceptual model based upon the DPSIR framework for coastal SESs adapting to climate change. This review shows a gradual increase in the number of published papers, particularly after the Paris Agreement, with an uneven distribution across the world. The number of papers and case studies was lower in highly vulnerable coastal areas, with the exception of Bangladesh. Most of the literature presented a local perspective rather than a national or transnational one, focusing more on vulnerability assessment than adaptation strategies. Recent studies have shown an increasing focus on ecosystem-based adaptation. Institutional and financial support are reported as the main constraints on ensuring long-term monitoring and beneficial impacts.