RAD (Resist-Accept-Direct) decision points and triggers for adaptation planning
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Directional drivers such as climate change are transforming ecosystems globally. The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework has gained traction within many management communities in response to social-ecological transformation, helping managers consider the full decision space. In this context, managers decide not only which RAD pathway to implement, but also how long to adhere to a given pathway. For example, a manager may accept a slowly changing ecosystem, but at a certain point, decide to begin resisting or directing the change an ecosystem is experiencing. Alternatively, managers may initially attempt to resist ecosystem transformation, but ultimately realize resistance is no longer feasible based on cost or efficacy. These decisions are challenging and encompass broad domains of ecological, social, and financial considerations to determine how long to stay with a given pathway, and when to switch tactics. Here, we introduce the concept of RAD switch points and RAD triggers to help support these decision processes. We use case studies to illustrate how these decisions play out in the real world. Synthesizing across these examples, we delineate key considerations managers may iteratively evaluate when deciding when to change amongst the RAD pathways as ecological, social, or financial conditions change.