Adapting to an Era of Climate Change: The Case of South African UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

Abstract

Escalating climate change in South Africa threatens ecosystems, livelihoods, and socio-economic stability through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increasingly extreme weather. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, which cover nearly 10% of the country’s land area, offer a promising framework for climate adaptation by combining biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and community engagement. This study investigates how South Africa’s 10 biosphere reserves demonstrate organizational adaptive capacity across three dimensions: governance effectiveness, social capital, and access to financial, human, and technical resources. Using a mixed- methods approach, including a cross-sectional online survey of reserve experts and document analysis, the research assesses the integration of climate change into governance structures, the strength of stakeholder networks, and the extent of resource mobilization. Results reveal significant variation among reserves: Some, such as the Gouritz Cluster and Vhembe, have embedded climate considerations into management frameworks and secured funding through international partnerships, while others struggle with limited budgets, weak local engagement, and inconsistent application of UNESCO’s zonation model. Social capital emerges as a critical enabler of adaptation, but challenges persist in communication and collaboration with local communities. The findings highlight the potential of biosphere reserves as “living laboratories” for climate adaptation while underscoring persistent gaps in resource distribution and governance. Strengthening formal policy support, diversifying funding, and deepening community engagement are recommended to enhance adaptive capacity. South Africa’s biosphere reserves thus provide valuable lessons for integrating conservation and development in climate-vulnerable regions.