scholarly journals Barren Lives: drought shocks and agricultural vulnerability in the Brazilian Semi-Arid - Corrigendum

Author(s):  
Lucas Costa ◽  
André Albuquerque Sant'Anna ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Frickmann Young
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce K. N. Silva ◽  
Paulo S. Lucio ◽  
Cláudio M. S. Silva ◽  
Maria H. C. Spyrides ◽  
Madson T. Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract. The main objective was to create an indicator of agricultural vulnerability to drought in the Northeast of Brazil (NEB). The data used for precipitation belong to ANA (Agência Nacional das Águas) considering the climatological norm from 1979–2008. Data on agricultural productivity and demographic characteristics were obtained in the agricultural census of IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) in 2006 and, finally, data on natural disasters in the period 1991–2010 with CEPED (Centro de Estudose Pesquisasem Engenhariae Defesa Civil). The Multivariate Statistical Analysis Factorial technique allowed to reduce the number of variables and to estimate a model of the sensitivity component that reproduced 42 % of the original variance, besides the factors trying to represent the productive dynamics of the NEB. The results show that the Southern NEB presented the highest degree of agricultural vulnerability (17,81–121,44) in the 2000 census, when compared to the census of 2010. In the Southwest it is observed that a part of the semi-arid region presented a moderate degree (0,74–1,08) and much higher in extension when compared to the 2000 census, evidencing that exposure to drought does not directly influence the agricultural sensitivity in the most productive areas of the region. The adaptive capacity factor presented significant results for the composition of the indicator of agricultural vulnerability, mainly in the semi-arid region that varied from (0,71–5,42). In this way, it is concluded that, between the census, the southern and central part of the NEB reduced agricultural vulnerability, but the region should benefit from early warning systems as well as the development and adoption of natural resources and technology management, with the objective of ducating producers about the potential impacts of extreme events.


Author(s):  
Lucas Costa ◽  
André Albuquerque Sant'Anna ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Frickman Young

Abstract This paper studies the effects of drought shocks in a vulnerable environment – the Brazilian Semi-Arid. We analyze the impact of drought shocks, measured as deviations from long-run historical averages, on agricultural outcomes in a region that suffers recurrently from drought. After controlling for municipality and year fixed effects, we use weather shocks to exactly identify outcomes. Our benchmark results show substantial effects on the loss of crop area and on the value of agricultural output, as well as on crop yields. As we investigate distributional effects, our results show that crops related to familiar agriculture suffer more from drought shocks. We follow our investigation by testing heterogeneity effects and show that adequate water provision and maintenance of forest cover help in reducing the impact of drought shocks.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arindam Malakar ◽  
Michael Kaiser ◽  
Daniel D. Snow ◽  
Harkamal Walia ◽  
Chittaranjan Ray

Author(s):  
I.G.C. Kerr ◽  
J.M. Williams ◽  
W.D. Ross ◽  
J.M. Pollard

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) introduced into New Zealand in the 183Os, has consistently flourished in Central Otago, the upper Waitaki, and inland Marlborough, all areas of mediterranean climate. It has proved difficult to manage in these habitats. The 'rabbit problem' is largely confined to 105,000 ha of low producing land mostly in semi arid areas of Central Otago. No field scale modifications of the natural habitat have been successful in limiting rabbit numbers. The costs of control exceed the revenue from the land and continued public funding for control operations appears necessary. A system for classifying land according to the degree of rabbit proneness is described. Soil survey and land classification information for Central Otago is related to the distribution and density of rabbits. This intormation can be used as a basis for defining rabbit carrying capacity and consequent land use constraints and management needs. It is concluded that the natural rabbit carrying capacity of land can be defined by reference to soil survey information and cultural modification to the natural vegetation. Classification of land according to rabbit proneness is proposed as a means of identifying the need for, and allocation of, public funding tor rabbit management. Keywords: Rabbit habitat, rabbit proneness, use of rabbit prone land.


2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 546-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Burgos ◽  
L.J. Odens ◽  
R.J. Collier ◽  
L.H. Baumgard ◽  
M.J. VanBaale

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Elia ◽  
Stephen Mutula ◽  
Christine Stilwell

This study was part of broader PhD research which investigated how access to, and use of, information enhances adaptation to climate change and variability in the agricultural sector in semi-arid Central Tanzania. The research was carried out in two villages using Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory and model to assess the dissemination of this information and its use by farmers in their adaptation of their farming practices to climate change and variability. This predominantly qualitative study employed a post-positivist paradigm. Some elements of a quantitative approach were also deployed in the data collection and analysis. The principal data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. The study population comprised farmers, agricultural extension officers and the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa project manager. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis whereas quantitative data were analysed to generate mostly descriptive statistics using SPSS.  Key findings of the study show that farmers perceive a problem in the dissemination and use of climate information for agricultural development. They found access to agricultural inputs to be expensive, unreliable and untimely. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and variability on farming effectively, the study recommends the repackaging of current and accurate information on climate change and variability, farmer education and training, and collaboration between researchers, meteorology experts, and extension officers and farmers. Moreover, a clear policy framework for disseminating information related to climate change and variability is required.


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