This paper applies a framework for understanding adaptation to an intervention in coastal Sri Lanka. Adaptation is described in terms of different components that, in combination, can address current vulnerability and the uncertainty inherent in climate predictions. In Sri Lanka, temperature increase, sea-level rise and the failure of irrigation systems are all contributing to the increasing salinity of small-scale farmers' rice paddies. The community-based adaptation activities reviewed here aimed to reintroduce traditional rice varieties to restore yields following the failure of fertilizer-dependent hybrid varieties and neglect by formal research institutions. Crucially, farmers themselves led variety-selection research, rebuilding their ability to experiment, thereby addressing the immediate problem of crop failure and providing the capacity to adapt to future environmental change.

Brooks, N. (2003) Vulnerability, Risk and Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework, Working Paper 38, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, UK.

Chapin, F.S., Lovecraft, A.L., Zavaleta, E.S., Nelson, J., Robards, M.D., Kofinas, G.P., Trainor, S.F., Peterson, G.D., Huntington, H.P. and Naylor, R.L. (2006) ‘Policy strategies to address sustainability of Alaskan boreal forests in response to a directionally changing climate’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103(45): 16637-43.

Christensen, J.H., Hewitson, B., Busuioc, A., Chen, A., Gao, X., Held, I., Jones, R., Kolli, R.K., Kwon, W.-T., Laprise, R., Magaña Rueda, V., Mearns, L., Menéndez, C.G., Räisänen, J., Rinke, A., Sarr, A. and Whetton, P. 43 ‘Regional climate projections’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, pp. 848-940, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Cross, C.L. and Parker, A. (2004) The Hidden Power of Social Networks, Harvard Business Press, Boston, MA.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009a) Understanding Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons from Community Based Approaches Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009b, forthcoming) ‘Community based adaptation and culture in theory and practice’, in W.N. Adger, I. Lorenzoni and K. O'Brien (eds) Adapting to Climate Change: Thresholds, Values, Governance, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Gine, X., Townsend, R. and Vickery, J. (2007) Patterns of Rainfall Insurance Participation in Rural India [online], New York Fed Staff Reports 302, available from: http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf [accessed 23 April 2009]. http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf

Hare, B. (2008) The Science of Climate Change, Breaking the Climate Deadlock Briefing Paper, The Climate Group, London.

Hawe, P., Webster, C. and Shiell, A. (2004) ‘A glossary of terms for navigating the field of social network analysis’, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 58: 971-5.

IPCC (2007) ‘Summary for policymakers’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

O’Brien, K., Eriksen, S., Schjolden, A. and Nygaard, L. (2004) What's in a Word? Conflicting Interpretations of Vulnerability in Climate Change Research, Working Paper 04, CICERO, Oslo, Norway.

Patt, A. (2008) ‘How does using seasonal forecasts build adaptive capacity?’ in Living with Climate Change: Are There Limits to Adaptation? Conference Proceedings 7-8 February 2008, pp. 62-7, Royal Geographical Society, London.

Peterson, G. (2000) ‘Political ecology and ecological resilience: an integration of human and ecological dynamics’, Ecological Economics 35: 323-36.

Phillips, J. (2003) ‘Determinants of forecast use among communal farmers in Zimbabwe’, in K. O’Brien and C. Vogel (eds), Coping with Climate Variability: The Use of Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Southern Africa, pp. 110-28, Ashgate, Aldershot, UK.

Smit, B. and Wandel, J. (2006) ‘Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability’, Global Environmental Change 16: 282-92.

Wasserman, S. and Faust, K. (1994) Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Brooks, N. (2003) Vulnerability, Risk and Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework, Working Paper 38, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, UK.

Chapin, F.S., Lovecraft, A.L., Zavaleta, E.S., Nelson, J., Robards, M.D., Kofinas, G.P., Trainor, S.F., Peterson, G.D., Huntington, H.P. and Naylor, R.L. (2006) ‘Policy strategies to address sustainability of Alaskan boreal forests in response to a directionally changing climate’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103(45): 16637-43.

Christensen, J.H., Hewitson, B., Busuioc, A., Chen, A., Gao, X., Held, I., Jones, R., Kolli, R.K., Kwon, W.-T., Laprise, R., Magaña Rueda, V., Mearns, L., Menéndez, C.G., Räisänen, J., Rinke, A., Sarr, A. and Whetton, P. 43 ‘Regional climate projections’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, pp. 848-940, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Cross, C.L. and Parker, A. (2004) The Hidden Power of Social Networks, Harvard Business Press, Boston, MA.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009a) Understanding Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons from Community Based Approaches Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009b, forthcoming) ‘Community based adaptation and culture in theory and practice’, in W.N. Adger, I. Lorenzoni and K. O'Brien (eds) Adapting to Climate Change: Thresholds, Values, Governance, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Gine, X., Townsend, R. and Vickery, J. (2007) Patterns of Rainfall Insurance Participation in Rural India [online], New York Fed Staff Reports 302, available from: http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf [accessed 23 April 2009]. http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf

Hare, B. (2008) The Science of Climate Change, Breaking the Climate Deadlock Briefing Paper, The Climate Group, London.

Hawe, P., Webster, C. and Shiell, A. (2004) ‘A glossary of terms for navigating the field of social network analysis’, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 58: 971-5.

IPCC (2007) ‘Summary for policymakers’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

O’Brien, K., Eriksen, S., Schjolden, A. and Nygaard, L. (2004) What's in a Word? Conflicting Interpretations of Vulnerability in Climate Change Research, Working Paper 04, CICERO, Oslo, Norway.

Patt, A. (2008) ‘How does using seasonal forecasts build adaptive capacity?’ in Living with Climate Change: Are There Limits to Adaptation? Conference Proceedings 7-8 February 2008, pp. 62-7, Royal Geographical Society, London.

Peterson, G. (2000) ‘Political ecology and ecological resilience: an integration of human and ecological dynamics’, Ecological Economics 35: 323-36.

Phillips, J. (2003) ‘Determinants of forecast use among communal farmers in Zimbabwe’, in K. O’Brien and C. Vogel (eds), Coping with Climate Variability: The Use of Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Southern Africa, pp. 110-28, Ashgate, Aldershot, UK.

Smit, B. and Wandel, J. (2006) ‘Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability’, Global Environmental Change 16: 282-92.

Wasserman, S. and Faust, K. (1994) Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Brooks, N. (2003) Vulnerability, Risk and Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework, Working Paper 38, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, UK.

Chapin, F.S., Lovecraft, A.L., Zavaleta, E.S., Nelson, J., Robards, M.D., Kofinas, G.P., Trainor, S.F., Peterson, G.D., Huntington, H.P. and Naylor, R.L. (2006) ‘Policy strategies to address sustainability of Alaskan boreal forests in response to a directionally changing climate’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103(45): 16637-43.

Christensen, J.H., Hewitson, B., Busuioc, A., Chen, A., Gao, X., Held, I., Jones, R., Kolli, R.K., Kwon, W.-T., Laprise, R., Magaña Rueda, V., Mearns, L., Menéndez, C.G., Räisänen, J., Rinke, A., Sarr, A. and Whetton, P. 43 ‘Regional climate projections’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, pp. 848-940, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Cross, C.L. and Parker, A. (2004) The Hidden Power of Social Networks, Harvard Business Press, Boston, MA.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009a) Understanding Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons from Community Based Approaches Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009b, forthcoming) ‘Community based adaptation and culture in theory and practice’, in W.N. Adger, I. Lorenzoni and K. O'Brien (eds) Adapting to Climate Change: Thresholds, Values, Governance, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Gine, X., Townsend, R. and Vickery, J. (2007) Patterns of Rainfall Insurance Participation in Rural India [online], New York Fed Staff Reports 302, available from: http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf [accessed 23 April 2009]. http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf

Hare, B. (2008) The Science of Climate Change, Breaking the Climate Deadlock Briefing Paper, The Climate Group, London.

Hawe, P., Webster, C. and Shiell, A. (2004) ‘A glossary of terms for navigating the field of social network analysis’, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 58: 971-5.

IPCC (2007) ‘Summary for policymakers’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

O’Brien, K., Eriksen, S., Schjolden, A. and Nygaard, L. (2004) What's in a Word? Conflicting Interpretations of Vulnerability in Climate Change Research, Working Paper 04, CICERO, Oslo, Norway.

Patt, A. (2008) ‘How does using seasonal forecasts build adaptive capacity?’ in Living with Climate Change: Are There Limits to Adaptation? Conference Proceedings 7-8 February 2008, pp. 62-7, Royal Geographical Society, London.

Peterson, G. (2000) ‘Political ecology and ecological resilience: an integration of human and ecological dynamics’, Ecological Economics 35: 323-36.

Phillips, J. (2003) ‘Determinants of forecast use among communal farmers in Zimbabwe’, in K. O’Brien and C. Vogel (eds), Coping with Climate Variability: The Use of Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Southern Africa, pp. 110-28, Ashgate, Aldershot, UK.

Smit, B. and Wandel, J. (2006) ‘Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability’, Global Environmental Change 16: 282-92.

Wasserman, S. and Faust, K. (1994) Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Brooks, N. (2003) Vulnerability, Risk and Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework, Working Paper 38, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, UK.

Chapin, F.S., Lovecraft, A.L., Zavaleta, E.S., Nelson, J., Robards, M.D., Kofinas, G.P., Trainor, S.F., Peterson, G.D., Huntington, H.P. and Naylor, R.L. (2006) ‘Policy strategies to address sustainability of Alaskan boreal forests in response to a directionally changing climate’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103(45): 16637-43.

Christensen, J.H., Hewitson, B., Busuioc, A., Chen, A., Gao, X., Held, I., Jones, R., Kolli, R.K., Kwon, W.-T., Laprise, R., Magaña Rueda, V., Mearns, L., Menéndez, C.G., Räisänen, J., Rinke, A., Sarr, A. and Whetton, P. 43 ‘Regional climate projections’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, pp. 848-940, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Cross, C.L. and Parker, A. (2004) The Hidden Power of Social Networks, Harvard Business Press, Boston, MA.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009a) Understanding Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons from Community Based Approaches Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.

Ensor, J.E. and Berger, R. (2009b, forthcoming) ‘Community based adaptation and culture in theory and practice’, in W.N. Adger, I. Lorenzoni and K. O'Brien (eds) Adapting to Climate Change: Thresholds, Values, Governance, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Gine, X., Townsend, R. and Vickery, J. (2007) Patterns of Rainfall Insurance Participation in Rural India [online], New York Fed Staff Reports 302, available from: http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf [accessed 23 April 2009]. http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/economists/vickery/WBER_India_Insurance_August_10_2007.pdf

Hare, B. (2008) The Science of Climate Change, Breaking the Climate Deadlock Briefing Paper, The Climate Group, London.

Hawe, P., Webster, C. and Shiell, A. (2004) ‘A glossary of terms for navigating the field of social network analysis’, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 58: 971-5.

IPCC (2007) ‘Summary for policymakers’, in S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

O’Brien, K., Eriksen, S., Schjolden, A. and Nygaard, L. (2004) What's in a Word? Conflicting Interpretations of Vulnerability in Climate Change Research, Working Paper 04, CICERO, Oslo, Norway.

Patt, A. (2008) ‘How does using seasonal forecasts build adaptive capacity?’ in Living with Climate Change: Are There Limits to Adaptation? Conference Proceedings 7-8 February 2008, pp. 62-7, Royal Geographical Society, London.

Peterson, G. (2000) ‘Political ecology and ecological resilience: an integration of human and ecological dynamics’, Ecological Economics 35: 323-36.

Phillips, J. (2003) ‘Determinants of forecast use among communal farmers in Zimbabwe’, in K. O’Brien and C. Vogel (eds), Coping with Climate Variability: The Use of Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Southern Africa, pp. 110-28, Ashgate, Aldershot, UK.

Smit, B. and Wandel, J. (2006) ‘Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability’, Global Environmental Change 16: 282-92.

Wasserman, S. and Faust, K. (1994) Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.