*************************************************** The Climate Adaptation Platform for the Alps (CAPA) *************************************************** This guide teaches you how to use the CAPA platform website. The platform provides a knowledge inventory provides knowledge about climate change adaptation in the Alps. You can browse through a large number of items, which are usually downloadable documents - but you will also find interactive online resources. The inventory is an expert-based directory rather than a plain search engine: all items in have been selected, examined and tagged by professionals of various disciplines. This pre-editing means you can use additional categories (like: target groups or adaptation sectors) for a focused search. Of course, there is still the option to screen for keywords. Inventory Search ================ The inventory search lets you explore the knowledge inventory by choosing keywords from different categories or using free text keywords. .. Tip:: If at some point you feel like getting lost in possibilities and would rather enjoy a rapid knowledge digest for a particular topic: try one of the expert collections on this portal. Collections =========== What are collections? --------------------- Collections are thematic bundles of knowledge items (e.g., studies, reports, tools, guidelines, information portals). They address specific adaptation topics and respond to particular knowledge needs. All collections have been compiled and further hand-picked by experts (by using the inventory search and the additional browsing opportunities for creating customized collections). The portal offers collections for specific adaptation sectors, knowledge domains, and cross-cutting “hot topics”. What types of collections are there? ------------------------------------ **Sector** collections cluster knowledge items related to specific adaptation sectors (e.g., agriculture, water management, tourism, spatial planning). The items either focus on a given sector or address it as one accessory sector among others. In that way, sector collections take into account interdependencies with other sectors. This supports sectorial users in considering cross-sectorial synergies, potential conflicts and mutual coordination needs. **Knowledge domain** collections gather specific types of know-how (e.g., future climate, climate impacts and vulnerabilities, adaptation policies, adaptation options, tools) that are needed for particular elements of an adaptation process. They supply information for users interested in particular steps of the adaptation cycle. Each of these collections cuts across the various adaptation sectors. **Hot-topic** collections bundle knowledge items that help answering topical questions, tackling crosscutting adaptation issues, and coping with specific challenges of adaptation (e.g., How to set up an adaptation process? How to communicate adaptation and involve stakeholders?). The resources contained in “hot-topic” collections are not restricted to certain adaptation sectors. Registered users can create their own customized collections. Each collection is accompanied by an expert commentary that compares, cross-analyses, and summarizes the items bundled in a collection. Commentaries are dossiers that offer pre-digested synthesis information, give commented overviews and highlight resources that may be of particular interest to users. Guiding users through the collection items, they facilitate quick orientation and allow identifying the most useful knowledge pieces in an efficient way. Each expert commentary summarizes the collection along the following aspects: - Why this collection? - For whom is it interesting? - What are points of strength, knowledge gaps, and elements of interest? - Comparative analysis - What makes this collection specific for the Alps? - Useful links - List of items in the collection .. Tip:: As registered user you can compile, save, edit, comment, and publish your own collections.