Vera Köpsel investigates the relevance of local perceptions of landscape
and nature for the current topic of adaptation to climate change. She
highlights the influence that differing conceptualisations of landscape
among actors in environmental management have on their perspectives on
climate change and adaptation. Qualitative empirical data from Cornwall
(UK) constitutes a valuable foundation for an enhanced theoretical
understanding of societal constructions of landscape and their
implications for local negotiation processes. Using the example of
coastal erosion, the author discusses how contrasting perceptions of a
local landscape can significantly complicate consensus‐finding around
physical‐material adaptation measures.