Protected areas (PAs) are crucial for climate change mitigation and adaptation, but face increasing climate-induced ecological and socio-economic pressures. Tourism, particularly nature-based tourism, plays a central role in shaping pressures, revenues, and local livelihoods in PAs, yet remains only marginally integrated into transdisciplinary climate research. Addressing these challenges requires integrating natural and social sciences through multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary frameworks. This study, developed within the PACT-VIRA project, systematically reviews 136 peer-reviewed studies (2010–2025) to identify patterns, synergies, and gaps in the application of integrative approaches to PA climate change research. Findings reveal a shift from multi- to inter- and transdisciplinary research; however, tourism remains underrepresented, especially in co-produced, stakeholder-driven frameworks. The proposed framework emphasises methodological integration, stakeholder and tourism engagement, and advancing transdisciplinary collaboration to develop actionable, context-sensitive adaptation strategies that strengthen ecosystem resilience and sustainable PA management under changing climates.
Vukadin et al. (Wed,) studied this question.