The fi nal stage of the CIRCE case-studies integrated assessment involved
identi fi cation and evaluation of the effectiveness of local and regional adaptation
options in collaboration with stakeholders, and in the context of wider national
adaptation policies and strategies. This stage provides a synthesis of both the casestudy
work and the wider CIRCE project since it draws on the case-study indicators for present and future periods together with wider CIRCE work on adaptation
options, particularly in the thematic areas of agriculture, forestry and ecosystems,
and Mediterranean communities. This synthesis and evaluation links impacts and
vulnerability with adaptation, and also bene fi ts strongly from the local stakeholder
workshops held towards the end of the project. Lessons learnt and key messages
from the CIRCE case studies are presented. While the objectives of the CIRCE case
studies have generally been achieved, a number of research gaps and needs remain.
