Sources and implications of uncertainty for coastal managers

This study included semi-structured interviews with eight practitioners who have key roles in UK coastal management. Data from the interviews were ana lysed using 'grounded theory', which established that sources of uncertaint y in decision making are diverse but can be categorised as being modelling issues, values issues, communication and 'externalities'. At present, intui tive and implicit methods of taking uncertainty into account in decision ma king are much more prevalent than explicit methods. By identifying sources and implications of uncertainty, coastal managers will be in a stronger pos ition to promote resilient systems that can cope with changing natural and social conditions.