Waters of Change: Social Consequences of Climate Impacts on Southeast Asian Aquatic Ecosystems

Climate change is reshaping aquatic ecosystems across Southeast Asia, intensifying marine heatwaves, sea-level rise, salinity shifts, and the proliferation of stressors such as biofouling and harmful algal blooms. While ecological impacts have been widely studied, the social consequences—particularly for communities that depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods, culture, and food security—remain underexplored. This scoping review aims to synthesize current knowledge on how climate-induced changes in marine and freshwater environments are affecting social well-being, economic security, and adaptive capacity in Southeast Asia. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR methodology, this review analyzes 76 peer-reviewed articles and grey literature published between 2010 and 2024, focusing on themes of livelihood vulnerability, social adaptation, governance responses, and ecosystem-based resilience. The review reveals that climate-driven changes in aquatic ecosystems disproportionately affect small-scale fishers, aquaculture farmers, and indigenous coastal populations, who often lack access to institutional support and adaptive technologies. Findings highlight a critical gap in the integration of social science perspectives within climate adaptation frameworks, with limited attention to gender, intergenerational knowledge, and local governance dynamics. Moreover, regional coordination and equitable policy mechanisms remain weak in addressing trans-boundary aquatic challenges.