Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation in Island Socio-Ecological Systems: A Spatial Resilience Assessment of the Matsu Archipelago, Taiwan

Small islands, characterized by their geographic isolation and resource constraints, are highly vulnerable socio-ecological systems (SES) facing the dual threats of Sea-Level Rise (SLR) and extreme weather events. As climate change intensifies, integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) with Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) becomes critical for enhancing island resilience. However, conventional approaches often lack the localized data necessary to inform nature-based and community-led strategies. This study addresses this gap by establishing a localized climate resilience assessment framework using the Matsu Archipelago (Lienchiang County, Taiwan) as an empirical case. Utilizing ArcGIS-based overlay analysis, we assessed the interplay between physical hazards and socio-economic vulnerabilities across three core dimensions: (1) the exposure of embayment settlements to SLR and flood hazards; (2) the protective capacity of critical infrastructure; and (3) the adaptive readiness of the tourism industry, a key livelihood dependent on local ecosystem services.

Results indicate that by 2100, 433 buildings and 12 critical infrastructure sites will face direct risks from SLR and flooding. Crucially, the impact extends to the island's economic lifeline, affecting approximately 85 tourism-related facilities and specifically endangering an estimated 29 vulnerable residents. This research contributes to the session by demonstrating how high-resolution spatial analysis can serve as an enabling condition for implementation and scaling of adaptation strategies. By visualizing the cascading impacts on livelihoods and infrastructure, this framework provides a scientific basis for prioritizing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) over rigid engineering, and empowers local communities with the spatial knowledge needed for bottom-up resilience planning and social learning in data-scarce island contexts.