A comprehensive literature review was conducted to ascertain whether there has been an evaluation of the potential efficacy of conservation-related adaptation recommendations documented in published literature, and, if so, to identify the nature of such assessments employed. This research underscores the pressing need for increased and systematic efforts to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation recommendations within the context of biodiversity management.

EcoAdapt is undertaking an analysis of experimentally designed efficacy testing, focusing on adaptation projects that have available monitoring data but lack explicit effectiveness testing. 

We have assembled a collaborative working group comprised of representatives from the Coral Reef Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research to develop a framework for measuring the effectiveness in adaptation projects. The final products of this activity include a manuscript (currently in preparation), the Adaptation Efficacy Framework, and proposals for funding projects that will implement the framework.

Activity 3 applies a climate change vulnerability assessment methodology to philanthropic grantmaking criteria. We have developed a Checklist that identifies a suite of criteria that can be applied to assess the vulnerability of a project and guidance to reduce that vulnerability prior to funding a project. The Checklist should be embedded as a consistent screening tool for grant applications. The Checklist could also be used as a discretionary tool used to review an already funded project and inform all parties of the expected impacts of a changing climate on a project during its lifecycle.