Bibliography

711 publications found

• Enhanced Adaptive Management: Integrating Decision Analysis, Scenario Analysis and Environmental Modeling for the Everglades

  Convertino, M. et al. Scientific Reports (2013). Methodological Article. Original Research.
  https://doi.org/10.1038/srep02922

  Abstract

  We propose to enhance existing adaptive management efforts with a decision-analytical approach that can guide the initial selection of robust restoration alternative plans and inform the need to adjust these alternatives in the course of action based on continuously acquired monitoring information and changing stakeholder values. We demonstrate an application of enhanced adaptive management for a wetland restoration case study inspired by the Florida Everglades restoration effort. We find that alternatives designed to reconstruct the pre-drainage flow may have a positive ecological impact, but may also have high operational costs and only marginally contribute to meeting other objectives such as reduction of flooding. Enhanced adaptive management allows managers to guide investment in ecosystem modeling and monitoring efforts through scenario and value of information analyses to support optimal restoration strategies in the face of uncertain and changing information.

  Ecological restorationEcosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionEcosystem healthWetland

• Investigating whether or not constructed stormwater wetlands need maintenance to sustain performance and the effect of vegetation occupancy in the designed storage volume

  Merriman, L. S. et al. World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013 (2013). Original Research.
  https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887488933&partnerID=40&md5=e4d50989382f755330448f240e9cfae7

  Abstract

  Stormwater wetlands (CSWs) have become one of the more popular SCMs, offering a hybrid between larger detention technologies such as wet ponds and newer green infrastructure technologies. A well-functioning stormwater wetland will be a resilient, diverse ecosystem that includes many plant and animal species. This research looks to investigate whether or not wetlands need regular maintenance to sustain their treatment capacity. The research site is located in River Bend, NC. Flow-weighted samples, rainfall, and hydrologic data are being collected at both the inlet and outlet from April 2012 – April 2013, aiming a minimum of 15 storms spaced throughout the year. Monitoring of phosphorus deposition consists of taking soil samples and analyzing for Soil Test Phosphorous. These monitoring results will be compared with the results of a study that was conducted at the same site for a one-year period immediately following construction completion. This will allow researchers to see the effects of no maintenance plan (or activity) and time on wetland performance in removing phosphorus and achieving other wetland performance goals. Vegetation in a CSW is essential for nutrient removal and thermal pollution reduction. However, a portion of the storage volume designed to retain the water quality event is occupied by vegetation, which may result in the CSW being undersized from a hydrologic perspective – especially in unmaintained, mature systems. The fraction of the volume associated with vegetation mass was unknown, and designers have been unsure as to (1) how they should account for volume occupied by vegetation and (2) whether this was a significant design issue. Twelve stormwater wetlands and one hybrid wet pond in North Carolina were sampled to assess their percent vegetative occupancy by volume. A conservative recommended factor of safety is 1.025. Species-specific factors of safety (FOS) were also calculated; at the 30 cm temporary pool elevation, the Iris (Iris spp.) FOS was highest at 1.020 and the mixed vegetation FOS was lowest at 1.005. When designing a wetland, a more specific FOS may be calculated using a weighted average of the FOS for each species in the planting plan. The outcomes of this research allow designers to account for the volume taken up by emergent wetland vegetation; however, the uncertainty in other factors such as discrepancies between designed and as-built bathymetry probably have a greater impact on the design volume loss when compared with vegetation occupancy (<2%). © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.

  Ecosystem-based disaster risk reductionDisaster risk reductionFood and water securityWetland

• Effects of biochar compared to organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil quality and plant growth in a greenhouse experiment

  Schulz, H. et al. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science (2012). Original Research.
  https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201100143

  Abstract

  Our contemporary society is struggling with soil degradation due to overuse and climate change. Pre-Columbian people left behind sustainably fertile soils rich in organic matter and nutrients well known as terra preta (de Indio) by adding charred residues (biochar) together with organic and inorganic wastes such as excrements and household garbage being a model for sustainable agriculture today. This is the reason why new studies on biochar effects on ecosystem services rapidly emerge. Beneficial effects of biochar amendment on plant growth, soil nutrient content, and C storage were repeatedly observed although a number of negative effects were reported, too. In addition, there is no consensus on benefits of biochar when combined with fertilizers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test whether biochar effects on soil quality and plant growth could be improved by addition of mineral and organic fertilizers. For this purpose, two growth periods of oat (Avena sativa L.) were studied under tropical conditions (26°C and 2600 mm annual rainfall) on an infertile sandy soil in the greenhouse in fivefold replication. Treatments comprised control (only water), mineral fertilizer (111.5 kg N ha–1, 111.5 kg P ha–1, and 82.9 kg K ha–1), compost (5% by weight), biochar (5% by weight), and combinations of biochar (5% by weight) plus mineral fertilizer (111.5 kg N ha–1, 111.5 kg P ha–1, and 82.9 kg K ha–1), and biochar (2.5% by weight) plus compost (2.5% by weight). Pure compost application showed highest yield during the two growth periods, followed by the biochar + compost mixture. biochar addition to mineral fertilizer significantly increased plant growth compared to mineral fertilizer alone. During the second growth period, plant yields were significantly smaller compared to the first growth period. biochar and compost additions significantly increased total organic C content during the two growth periods. Cation-exchange capacity (CEC) could not be increased upon biochar addition while base saturation (BS) was significantly increased due to ash addition with biochar. On the other hand, compost addition significantly increased CEC. Biochar addition significantly increased soil pH but pH value was generally lower during the second growth period probably due to leaching of base cations. Biochar addition did not reduce ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate leaching during the experiment but it reduced nitrification. The overall plant growth and soil fertility decreased in the order compost > biochar + compost > mineral fertilizer + biochar > mineral fertilizer > control. Further experiments should optimize biochar–organic fertilizer systems.

  Ecosystem-based mitigationNature-based agricultural systemsClimate change mitigationHuman well-being & developmentArtificial Landscapes - Terrestrial

• Increased rainfall variability reduces biomass and forage quality of temperate grassland largely independent of mowing frequency

  Walter, J. et al. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment (2012). Original Research.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.11.015

  Abstract

  Climate models indicate that global warming will stimulate atmospheric exchange processes and increase rainfall variability, leading to longer dry periods and more intense rainfall events. Recent studies suggest that both the magnitude of the rainfall events and their frequency may be as important for temperate grassland productivity as the annual sum. However, until now interactive effects between land management practice, such as mowing frequency, and rainfall variability on productivity and forage quality have not been studied in detail. Here, we present the data from a field experiment (EVENT II) in which a Central-European grassland was subjected to increased spring rainfall variability (low, intermediate and extreme rainfall variability without any change to the rainfall amount) and increased mowing frequency (four times compared to twice a year). We assessed biomass production, forage quality parameters, root-length and shoot-root ratio. Enhanced spring rainfall variability reduced midsummer productivity and the leaf N and protein concentrations of a target species, but did not exert any long-term effects on biomass production and forage quality in late summer. However, the increased spring rainfall variability reduced aboveground net primary productivity by 15%. More frequent mowing increased productivity in the first year of the study, but decreased productivity at the end of the second year, showing a decline in the potential for overcompensation after a history of more intense mowing. Generally, more frequent mowing decreased the shoot-root ratio and increased the concentration of leaf N. Increased mowing frequency neither buffered, nor amplified the adverse effects of rainfall variability on productivity, but made leaf N concentrations in early summer more responsive to altered rainfall patterns. These results highlight the fact that even relatively small and short-term alterations to rainfall distribution can reduce production and forage quality, with little buffering capacity of altered mowing frequency. Comparisons with productivity data from the first year of the study, in which both, rainfall distribution and rainfall amount were modified, demonstrate the crucial role of sufficient moisture (annual rainfall amount) for grassland resilience: in this first year, negative effects of extreme rainfall variability lasted until the end of the year. To conclude, increased rainfall variability under climate change will likely affect agricultural yield in temperate meadows. Management strategies to buffer these effects have yet to be developed.

  Ecosystem-based adaptationNature-based agricultural systemsClimate change adaptationHuman well-being & developmentArtificial Landscapes - Terrestrial

• Impact of possible climate and land use changes in the semi arid regions: A case study from North Eastern Brazil

  Montenegro, S. et al. Journal of Hydrology (2012). Original Research.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.02.036

  Abstract

  This paper combines hydrological observations and modelling results of a semi arid catchment in Brazil that could lead to a better understanding of the hydrology of similar catchments in semi-arid regions. The Tapacura catchment (area 470.5 km(2)) in the Northeast of Brazil was selected for this study. The Distributed Catchment Scale Model, DiCaSM, was calibrated and validated for the stream flows of the Tapacura catchment. The model performance was further tested by comparing simulated and observed scaled soil moisture. The results showed the ability of the model to simulate the stream flow and the scaled soil moisture. The simulated impacts of climate change of low emission (B1) scenarios, on the worst perspective, indicated the possibility of reduction in surface water availability by -13.90%, -22.63% and -.32.91% in groundwater recharge and by -4.98%, -14.28% and -20.58% in surface flows for the time spans 20102039, 2040-2069, 2070-2099, respectively. This would cause severe impacts on water supply in the region. Changing the land use, for example by reforestation of part of the catchment area which is currently arable land, would lead to a decrease in both groundwater recharge by -4.2% and stream flow by -2.7%. Changing land use from vegetables to sugar cane would result in decreasing groundwater recharge by almost -11%, and increasing stream flow by almost 5%. The combination of possible impacts of climate change and land use requires a proper plan for water resources management and mitigation strategies.

  Ecosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptationFood and water securityForest

• Understanding system disturbance and ecosystem services in restored saltmarshes: Integrating physical and biogeochemical processes

  Spencer, K. L. and Harvey, G. L. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (2012). Review.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2012.04.020

  Abstract

  Coastal saltmarsh ecosystems occupy only a small percentage of Earth’s land surface, yet contribute a wide range of ecosystem services that have significant global economic and societal value. These environments currently face significant challenges associated with climate change, sea level rise, development and water quality deterioration and are consequently the focus of a range of management schemes. Increasingly, soft engineering techniques such as managed realignment (MR) are being employed to restore and recreate these environments, driven primarily by the need for habitat (re)creation and sustainable coastal flood defence. Such restoration schemes also have the potential to provide additional ecosystem services including climate regulation and waste processing. However, these sites have frequently been physically impacted by their previous land use and there is a lack of understanding of how this ‘disturbance’ impacts the delivery of ecosystem services or of the complex linkages between ecological, physical and biogeochemical processes in restored systems. Through the exploration of current data this paper determines that hydrological, geomorphological and hydrodynamic functioning of restored sites may be significantly impaired with respects to natural ‘undisturbed’ systems and that links between morphology, sediment structure, hydrology and solute transfer are poorly understood. This has consequences for the delivery of seeds, the provision of abiotic conditions suitable for plant growth, the development of microhabitats and the cycling of nutrients/contaminants and may impact the delivery of ecosystem services including biodiversity, climate regulation and waste processing. This calls for a change in our approach to research in these environments with a need for integrated, interdisciplinary studies over a range of spatial and temporal scales incorporating both intensive and extensive research design.

  Ecosystem-based disaster risk reductionEcological restorationEcosystem-based mitigationClimate change mitigationDisaster risk reductionEcosystem healthFood and water securityCoastline

• Vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation to sea level rise: Taking an ecosystem-based approach

  Alverson, K. Oceanography (2012). Perspective.
  http://www.jstor.org/stable/24861420

  Abstract

  Adaptation to climate change is one of the defining global environmental, social, and economic challenges of the twenty-first century, recognized by heads of state at the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development in 2012 as “an immediate and urgent global priority.” At the root of this challenge is a troubling disparity between the global scale of the anthropogenic causes of change and the local scale of adaptation measures. Additionally, although any one specific trigger may be global climate change related— rising global mean sea level is just one example—the adaptation response will always require much broader interdisciplinary perspectives. Some of the most vexing adaptation challenges are not technical or scientific at their core, but will be dominated by social, economic, and legal considerations. However, one thing is quite clear. Ecosystems have evolved a great resilience to past climatic variability and extreme events. In our efforts to reduce our own vulnerability to these same forces, it behooves us to harness this powerful ecosystem-based resilience as an integral element of our adaptation efforts.

  Ecosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionCoastlineMarine

• Simulating effects of climate change and ecological restoration on fire behaviour in a south-western USA ponderosa pine forest

  Honig, K.A. and Fule, P.Z. International Journal of Wildland Fire (2012). Original Research.
  http://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/WF11082

  Abstract

  Global climate change has the potential to affect future wildfire activity, particularly in south-western USA ponderosa pine forests that have been substantially altered by land-use practices and aggressive fire suppression. Using two regional general circulation models for the A1B greenhouse gas emission scenario, Australia’s CSIRO:MK3 and Germany’s MPIM:ECHAM5, we predicted fire behaviour under the 80th, 90th and 97th percentiles of future fire-weather conditions at a study site on the Kaibab National Forest, Arizona. We then altered the fuel structure by simulating alternative ecological restoration treatments: a full treatment (FULL), a full treatment with a 40.6-cm-diameter restriction on tree removal (16″ CAP) and a full treatment with a 25.4-cm-diameter restriction on tree removal (10″ CAP). Model results show that differences in fire weather (temperature and fuel moistures) expected by the end of the 21st century were not influential enough to alter fire behaviour significantly, but treatments did significantly reduce severe burning. Alteration of fuel structure through the 16″ CAP and FULL ecological restoration treatments caused significant declines in fire behaviour and crown fire activity under all climate scenarios. The 10″ CAP substantially reduced treatment effectiveness.

  Ecological restorationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionForest

• Forest restoration to achieve both ecological and economic progress, Poyang Lake basin, China

  Lin, H. et al. Ecological Engineering (2012). Original Research.
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925857412001024

  Abstract

  The Mountain-River-Lake Program (MRL) was implemented since 25 years ago in the Poyang Lake basin, southern China. It consists of series of forest restoration projects that aim to address severe soil and water losses, and improve farmer’s livelihoods. To assess the effectiveness of the program, systematic planning, integrated research and comprehensive monitoring were used to illustrate how forest restoration projects that consider both ecological, social and economic perspectives can improve both the environment and society, and eradicate the “ecological-poverty trap”. We found that the overall ecological effects of the program are beneficial, and the socioeconomic effects are mostly positive. Forest plantations covering 4.92 × 106 ha were established, which promoted increased forest coverage from a minimum of 26.98% to 60.05% at present. The amount of carbon storage in forest increased significantly, with net carbon sequestration of plantation forests increased from 2.29 TgC/year to 10.52 TgC/year. The results also indicated that the area of land affected by heavy and severe soil erosion has decreased by 55.2% and 53.6%, respectively, while the water holding capacity was 25.2% higher in 2009 than that in 1990. The net income for farmers was almost 6 times greater than that before the program, and the number of people living below the poverty line decreased from 10 million to 0.865 million. This assessment has confirmed that if we cannot improve the livelihood of local communities and encourage them to participate in such programs, we will be unable to restore and manage degraded environments. The continuing and future impacts of the program may be even greater, and will provide important lessons and experiences for other ecological restoration programs.

  Ecological restorationEcosystem-based mitigationClimate change mitigationEcosystem healthFood and water securityHuman well-being & developmentForestWetland

• Harnessing nature to help people adapt to climate change

  Jones, H.P. et al. Nature Climate Change (2012). Perspective.
  https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1463

  Abstract

  Adapting to climate change is among the biggest challenges humanity faces in the next century. An overwhelming focus of adaptation strategies to reduce climate change-related hazards has been on hard-engineering structures such as sea walls, irrigation infrastructure and dams. Closer attention to a broader spectrum of adaptation options is urgently needed. In particular, ecosystem-based adaptation approaches provide flexible, cost-effective and broadly applicable alternatives for buffering the impacts of climate change, while overcoming many drawbacks of hard infrastructure. As such, they are a critical tool at adaptation planners’ disposal for tackling the threats that climate change poses to peoples’ lives and livelihoods.

  Ecosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptation

• Institutions and Ecosystem-Based Development Potentials of the Elephant Marsh, Malawi

  Kosamu, I.B.M. et al. Sustainability (2012). Original Research.
  http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/4/12/3326/htm

  Abstract

  The Elephant Marsh, a wetland in Southern Malawi, is important for fishing, agriculture, hunting and the collection of natural resources for the livelihoods of local communities. However, there has been increasing pressure driven by a changing climate, population growth, rural poverty and agricultural conversion, all of which threaten the future of the wetland. Currently, Malawi does not have either a national wetland policy or a climate change policy and wetland issues are only marginally present in the National Parks and Wildlife Policy of 2000 and National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy of 2001. As a result, the country lacks a framework that could be strong enough to achieve balanced and sustainable wetland management for multiple resource users. The objective of this study was to establish the development potentials of Elephant Marsh from an ecosystem-based (‘working-with-nature’) perspective. It was revealed that there are development potentials in fisheries, recession agriculture, biomass for energy, conservation and tourism. This paper emphasizes that as these opportunities are developed, there will be the need to strengthen management institutions at local and national levels, and the coordination between the two.

  Ecosystem-based managementClimate change adaptationEcosystem healthFood and water securityHuman well-being & developmentWetland

• Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to Climate Change in Caribbean Small Island Developing States: Integrating Local and External Knowledge

  Mercer, J. et al. Sustainability (2012). Review.
  http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/4/8/1908/htm

  Abstract

  Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are vulnerable to climate change impacts including sea level rise, invasive species, ocean acidification, changes in rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and changing hazard regimes including hurricanes, floods and drought. Given high dependencies in Caribbean SIDS on natural resources for livelihoods, a focus on ecosystems and their interaction with people is essential for climate change adaptation. Increasingly, ecosystem-based adaptation (ecosystem-based adaptation) approaches are being highlighted as an approach to address climate change impacts. Specifically, ecosystem-based adaptation encourages the use of local and external knowledge about ecosystems to identify climate change adaptation approaches. This paper critically reviews ecosystem-based adaptation in Caribbean SIDS, focusing on the need to integrate local and external knowledge. An analysis of current ecosystem-based adaptation in the Caribbean is undertaken alongside a review of methodologies used to integrate local and external expertise for ecosystem-based adaptation. Finally key gaps, lessons learnt and suggested ways forward for ecosystem-based adaptation in Caribbean SIDS and potentially further afield are identified.

  Ecosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionFood and water securityHuman well-being & development

• Review of the evidence base for ecosystem-based approaches for adaptation to climate change

  Munroe, R. et al. Environmental Evidence (2012). Meta-Analysis.
  https://environmentalevidencejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2047-2382-1-13

  Abstract

  Ecosystem-based approaches for adaptation (EbA) integrate the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services into an overall strategy for helping people adapt to climate change. To date, insight into these approaches has often been based on reports from isolated anecdotal case studies. Although these are informative, and provide evidence that people are using ecosystems to adapt, they provide rather limited insight in terms of measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of ecosystem-based adaptation, especially when compared with technical or structural adaptation interventions. The body of scientific evidence indicating how effective such approaches are is lacking in some aspects. Where evidence does exist it is often dispersed across a range of related fields, such as Natural resource management, disaster risk reduction and agroecology. To date, there has been little attempt to systematically assemble and analyse this evidence. Therefore, the current state of evidence regarding the merits or otherwise of ecosystem-based adaptation is unknown and it has not been possible to identify prevailing knowledge gaps to inform research and analysis, which will enable policymakers to compare ecosystem-based adaptation with other adaptation options. Methods: This protocol details the methodology to be used to conduct a systematic map of peer-reviewed published journal papers and a limited selection of grey literature, to give a methodical overview of the state of the evidence base for ecosystem-based adaptation effectiveness, and to identify the current knowledge gaps. It addresses the following question: What is the state of the evidence base regarding the ability of ecosystem-based approaches for adaptation to help people adapt to the impacts of climate change?

  Ecosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptation

• Cost-benefit analysis of ecological networks assessed through spatial analysis of ecosystem services

  Newton, A.C. et al. Journal of Applied Ecology (2012). Original Research.
  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02140.x/abstract

  Abstract

  The development of ecological networks could enhance the ability of species to disperse across fragmented landscapes and could mitigate against the negative impacts of climate change. The development of such networks will require widespread ecological restoration at the landscape scale, which is likely to be costly. However, little information is available regarding the cost-effectiveness of restoration approaches. 2. We address this knowledge gap by examining the potential impact of landscape-scale habitat restoration on the value of multiple ecosystem services across the catchment of the River Frome in Dorset, England. This was achieved by mapping the market value of four ecosystem services (carbon storage, crops, livestock and timber) under three different restoration scenarios, estimating restoration costs, and calculating net benefits. 3. The non-market value of additional services (cultural, aesthetic and recreational value) was elicited from local stakeholders using an online survey tool. Flood risk was assessed using a scoring approach. Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) was conducted, incorporating both market and non-market values, to evaluate the relative benefits of restoration scenarios. These were compared with impacts of restoration on biodiversity value. 4. Multi-Criteria Analysis results consistently ranked restoration scenarios above a non-restoration comparator, reflecting the increased provision of multiple ecosystem services. Restoration scenarios also provided benefits to biodiversity, in terms of increased species richness and habitat connectivity. However, restoration costs consistently exceeded the market value of ecosystem services. 5. Synthesis and applications. Establishment of ecological networks through ecological restoration is unlikely to deliver net economic benefits in landscapes dominated by agricultural land use. This reflects the high costs of ecological restoration in such landscapes. The cost-effectiveness of ecological networks will depend on how the benefits provided to people are valued, and on how the value of non-market benefits are weighted against the costs of reduced agricultural and timber production. Future plans for ecological restoration should incorporate local stakeholder values, to ensure that benefits to people are maximised.

  Ecological restorationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionEcosystem healthForestGrasslandWetland

• Forests and trees for social adaptation to climate variability and change

  Pramova, E. et al. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change (2012). Review.
  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wcc.195/abstract

  Abstract

  Ecosystems provide important services that can help people adapt to climate variability and change. Recognizing this role of ecosystems, several international and nongovernmental organizations have promoted an ecosystem-based approach to adaptation. We review the scientific literature related to EbA (ecosystem-based adaptation) with forests and trees, and highlight five cases in which forests and trees can support adaptation: (1) forests and trees providing goods to local communities facing climatic threats; (2) trees in agricultural fields regulating water, soil, and microclimate for more resilient production; (3) forested watersheds regulating water and protecting soils for reduced climate impacts; (4) forests protecting coastal areas from climate-related threats; and (5) urban forests and trees regulating temperature and water for resilient cities. The literature provides evidence that ecosystem-based adaptation with forests and trees can reduce social vulnerability to climate hazards; however, uncertainties and knowledge gaps remain, particularly for regulating services in watersheds and coastal areas. Few studies have been undertake non ecosystem-based adaptation specifically, but the abundant literature on ecosystem services can be used to fill knowledge gaps. Many studies assess the multiple benefits of ecosystems for human adaptation or well-being, but also recognize trade-offs between ecosystem services. Better understanding is needed of the efficiency, costs, and benefits, and trade-offs of ecosystem-based adaptation with forests and trees. Pilot projects under implementation could serve as learning sites and existing information could be systematized and revisited with a climate change adaptation lens.

  Ecosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionFood and water securityHuman well-being & developmentArtificial Landscapes - TerrestrialForestMontane

• The role of forest ecosystems in community-based coping strategies to climate hazards: Three examples from rural areas in Africa

  Robledo, C. et al. Forest Policy and Economics (2012). Original Research.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2011.04.006

  Abstract

  We investigated the coping strategies of rural communities in three countries in Africa to climate hazards. Forest ecosystems deliver food and shelter during extreme events (droughts and floods) and are thus key assets for increasing the resilience of poor communities. In some villages, forests and their NTFP serve as supplementary income during periods of climate stress at the community-level. These coping strategies can form a basis for dealing with future climate changes and can contribute to the development of planned adaptation strategies for anticipated changes. We identified factors that promote or prevent the use of sustainable coping strategies related to forest ecosystems.

  Community-based adaptationEcosystem-based adaptationClimate change adaptationDisaster risk reductionFood and water securityHuman well-being & developmentArtificial Landscapes - TerrestrialForestGrasslandSavanna