Communities’ Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Variability in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has experienced more than 10 major drought episodes since the 1970s. Evidence has shown that climate change exacerbates the situation and presents a daunting challenge to predominantly rain-fed agricultural livelihoods. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent and sources of smallholder famers’ livelihood vulnerability to climate change/variability in the Upper Blue Nile basin. We conducted a household survey (n = 391) across three distinct agroecological communities and a formative composite index of livelihood vulnerability (LVI) was constructed. The Mann–Kendall test and the standard precipitation index (SPI) were employed to analyze trends of rainfall, temperature, and drought prevalence for the period from 1982 to 2016. The communities across watersheds showed a relative difference in the overall livelihood vulnerability index. Aba Gerima (midland) was found to be more vulnerable, with a score of 0.37, while Guder (highland) had a relatively lower LVI with a 0.34 index score. Given similar exposure to climate variability and drought episodes, communities’ livelihood vulnerability was mainly attributed to their low adaptive capacity and higher sensitivity indicators. Adaptive capacity was largely constrained by a lack of participation in community-based organizations and a lack of income diversification. This study will have practical implications for policy development in heterogeneous agroecological regions for sustainable livelihood development and climate change adaptation programs.

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ANALISIS KERENTANAN PERIKANAN TANGKAP AKIBAT PERUBAHAN IKLIM PADA SKALA PROVINSI (Province Scaled Fisheries Vulnerability on Climate Change)

Marine Fisheries Journal of Marine Fisheries Technology and Management ◽

10.29244/jmf.8.2.223-233 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 223

Author(s):

Allasay Kitsash Addifisyuka Cintra ◽

Isdradjad Setyobudiandi ◽

Achmad Fahrudin

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Composite Index ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Medium Term ◽

Short Term ◽

High Exposure ◽

Purposive Sampling

ABSTRACTFisheries has significant roles for the Indonesian economy. Climate change influences Indonesian fisheries through a range of direct and indirect pathaway. A scientific based approach such as vulnerability is needed to determine the risks of climate change and adaptation strategies. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the vulnerability of fisheries to climate change on province scaled in Indonesia. Vulnerability index (VI) is obtained with composite index of exposure (EI), sensitivity (SI) and adaptive capacity (ACI) of ten provinces representing the eastern and western parts of Indonesia by using purposive sampling method. Source of data for indices variables were using recorded datas from relevant institutions. The results showed that fisheries status of North Sulawesi (VI = 0,78), Central Sulawesi (VI = 0,72) and Gorontalo (VI = 0,61) were very vulnerable despite the composition of constituent vulnerability index was different. This difference determined the specific policies to be taken to each province to reduce vulnerability. Short term policies are taken to reduce the vulnerability of the most vulnerable areas on Sulawesi Utara, Sulawesi Tengah, and Gorontalo. Medium term policy is carried out in high sensitivity areas, namely Kepulauan Riau, Sulawesi Utara, and Kalimantan Timur and in low adaptive capacity areas such as Jambi, Gorontalo and Bangka Belitung. Long term policy is conducted for areas with high exposure such as Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Utara and Kalimantan Timur.Keywords: Climate change, fisheries, vulnerability, province ABSTRAKPerikanan tangkap memiliki peranan penting bagi perekonomian Indonesia. Adanya perubahan iklim akan berdampak merugikan secara langsung maupun tidak langsung pada perikanan tangkap Indonesia. Suatu pendekatan ilmiah diperlukan untuk menentukan risiko perubahan iklim dan strategi adaptasi perikanan tangkap, salah satunya adalah analisis kerentanan (Vulnerability). Oleh karena itu penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis kerentanan perikanan tangkap akibat perubahan iklim pada skala provinsi di Indonesia. Indeks kerentanan (VI) didapatkan dengan mengkompositkan indeks keterpaparan (EI), kepekaan (SI) dan kapasitas adaptif (ACI) dari sepuluh provinsi yang mewakili bagian timur dan barat Indonesia dengan metode purposive sampling. Sumber variabel penyusun indeks variabel menggunakaan rekaman data dari instansi terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa provinsi Sulawesi Utara (VI=0,78), Sulawesi Tengah (VI=0,72) dan Gorontalo (VI=0,61) berstatus sangat rentan walaupun komposisi penyusun indeks kerentanannya tidak sama. Perbedaan ini menentukan bahwa jenis kebijakan yang diambil menjadi spesifik pada tiap provinsi untuk mengurangi kerentanan. Short term policy diambil untuk mengurangi dapak di daerah yang paling rentan yaitu Sulawesi Utara, Sulawesi Tengah, dan Gorontalo. Medium term policy dilakukan pada daerah yang kepekaannya tinggi yaitu Kepulauan Riau, Sulawesi Utara, dan Kalimantan Timur dan kapasitas adaptifnya rendah yaitu Jambi, Gorontalo dan Bangka Belitung. Long term policy dilakukan untuk daerah yang keterpaparannya tinggi yaitu Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Utara dan Kalimantan Timur.Kata kunci: perubahan iklim, perikanan tangkap, kerentanan, provinsi

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The VULNERABILITY OF SALT FARMER HOUSES IN DONGGOBOLO VILLAGE DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGES

Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan (Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management) ◽

10.29244/jpsl.11.2.298-308 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 298-308

Author(s):

Davit Aldi ◽

Nurhayati ◽

Eka Intan Kumala Putri

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Climate Changes ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Index Analysis ◽

Final Score ◽

Floods And Droughts ◽

Index Value

This study aims to determine the vulnerability of salt farmer households due to climate change in Donggobolo Village. Weather anomalies resulting from climate change causes floods and droughts which negatively affect household livelihoods. The method for assessing the vulnerability of salt farmer households in this study is the LVI (Livelihood Vulnerability Index) analysis, LVI-IPCC, and descriptive analysis. LVI analysis uses seven components of vulnerability which include climate variability, food, water, health, socio-demographic profile, livelihood strategies, and social networks. The calculation of the overall value of the LVI components shows that the salt farmer household in Donggobolo Village is closer to the scale value for the most vulnerable conditions, with an index value of 0.333. The value of the climate variability component is the dominant value in the LVI, which is equal to 0.759. Based on the grouping of the seven LVI indicators into the IPCC vulnerability components (exposure, adaptive capacity, and sensitivity), the final score is 0.172. The large value of exposure compared to adaptive capacity causes household conditions to be closer to vulnerable conditions.

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Livelihood Assets and Activities in Two East Coast Communities of Zanzibar and Implications for Vulnerability to Climate Change and Non-Climate Risks

Journal of Sustainable Development ◽

10.5539/jsd.v11n6p205 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 205

Author(s):

Makame Omar Makame ◽

Layla Ali Salum ◽

Richard Y. M. Kangalawe

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

East Coast ◽

Global Climate ◽

Sustainable Livelihood ◽

Community Assets ◽

Climate Risks ◽

Vulnerability To Climate Change ◽

Livelihood Capitals

Climate variability related events such as drought and associated food shortages are not new along the coast of Zanzibar, but are projected to increase with the impacts of global climate change. This paper examines the ‘internal’ characteristics that make Zanzibar’s coastal communities vulnerable to these and other changes, focusing on the factors that affect adaptive capacity (i.e. household and community assets) and sensitivity (i.e. livelihood activities and diversification). The sustainable livelihood approach and framework, especially the five capitals or assets, provided a lens to examine households’ capital stocks and the factors influencing access to these, as well as the outcomes for livelihood activities. Access to different capitals and assets were found to affect the range and choices of livelihood activities available to households as well as their ability to cope and adapt to existing and new risk. Our analysis shows how households on the drier and harsher east coast of the Zanzibar islands are particularly sensitive to climate variability and change in concert with other livelihoods challenges. This is primarily due to their high dependence on natural-resource based livelihood activities, which are already facing pressures. Moreover, low levels of most livelihood capitals limit the choices households have and undermine their adaptive capacity and ability to bounce back from climate and other shocks and stressors.

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Assessing Impact of Climate Variability in Southwest Coastal Bangladesh Using Livelihood Vulnerability Index

Climate ◽

10.3390/cli9070107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 107

Author(s):

Sabrina Mehzabin ◽

M. Shahjahan Mondal

Keyword(s):

Climate Variability ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Kendall Test ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Precipitation Anomaly ◽

Primary Data ◽

Precipitation Concentration Index ◽

Coastal Bangladesh ◽

Present Decade ◽

The Impact

This study analyzed the variability of rainfall and temperature in southwest coastal Bangladesh and assessed the impact of such variability on local livelihood in the last two decades. The variability analysis involved the use of coefficient of variation (CV), standardized precipitation anomaly (Z), and precipitation concentration index (PCI). Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the trends, and a Mann–Kendall test was performed to detect the significance of the trends. The impact of climate variability was assessed by using a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI), which consisted of six livelihood components with several sub-components under each component. Primary data to construct the LVIs were collected through a semi-structed questionnaire survey of 132 households in a coastal polder. The survey data were triangulated and supplemented with qualitative data from focused group discussions and key informant interviews. The results showed significant rises in temperature in southwest coastal Bangladesh. Though there were no discernable trends in annual and seasonal rainfalls, the anomalies increased in the dry season. The annual PCI and Z were found to capture the climate variability better than the currently used mean monthly standard deviation. The comparison of the LVIs of the present decade with the past indicated that the livelihood vulnerability, particularly in the water component, had increased in the coastal polder due to the increases in natural hazards and climate variability. The index-based vulnerability analysis conducted in this study can be adapted for livelihood vulnerability assessment in deltaic coastal areas of Asia and Africa.

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Smallholder Farmers’ Vulnerability to Impact of Climate Change in Central Bhutan

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change ◽

10.9734/ijecc/2020/v10i1230305 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 286-299

Author(s):

Pema Rinzin ◽

Thubten Sonam ◽

Sangay Tshering ◽

Purna Prasad Chapagai

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Composite Index ◽

Climate Impact ◽

Food Component ◽

Central Regions ◽

Framework Approach ◽

Context Specific ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Climate change carries immense threat to the livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in Bhutan and it is therefore crucial to enhance their adaptive capacity. However, building resiliency to climate impact require information on vulnerability of the system of interest. Therefore, this study assessed smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to impacts of climate change and variability in central regions (Bumthang and Trongsa) of Bhutan. Data was collected from 247 randomly selected households by administering a pre-tested survey questionnaire. Data was analyzed using composite index approach (LVI) and IPCC framework approach (LVI-IPCC). The LVI analysis revealed that Bumthang was more vulnerable in terms of Socio-demographic profile (0.55), social networks (0.45), health (0.31) and natural disasters and climate variability (0.47) compared to Trongsa. Whereas, Trongsa was more vulnerable in terms of livelihood strategies (0.31) and water (0.13). Vulnerability score on the food component was same for both the districts (0.27). Overall, Bumthang was more vulnerable compared to Trongsa on both LVI (Bumthang: 0.36, Trongsa: 0.34) and LVI-IPCC (Bumthang: 0.24, Trongsa: 0.13) analysis. The findings could be used for designing micro-level context specific interventions to enhance smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity to impacts of climate change in central Bhutan.

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An Assessment of Vulnerability of Fishers’ Livelihood to Climate Change in Coastal Odisha

Current World Environment ◽

10.12944/cwe.14.1.08 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 60-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sambit Priyadarshi ◽

S. N. Ojha ◽

Arpita Sharma

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

East Coast ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

The State ◽

Context Specificity ◽

East Coast Of India ◽

Index Approach ◽

Vulnerability Score

A study was conducted in Odisha, a state on the east coast of India, with the objective of assessing the vulnerability of fishers’ livelihood to climate change. The state was chosen for study since it is considered as one of the most vulnerable states due to climate change. A total of 120 fishers were interviewed from two districts, Balasore and Ganjam, to assess their livelihood vulnerability by considering their exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climate change. A composite livelihood vulnerability index by suggesting that fishers are vulnerable to climate change. For fishers of + 0.03 and for Ganjam it was 0.5 minima 0, and maxima 1 was used for the purpose. Baleswar the score was 0.56 0.04, s. The aggregated vulnerability score was found to be 0.54+The composite livelihood vulnerability index approach calculates vulnerability by aggregating data for a set of indicators for the components of vulnerability which include exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity + 0.04. Vulnerability score was relatively higher in Baleswar due to higher scores on the exposure and sensitivity parameters overshadowing the higher adaptive capacity. The study shows evidence that marine fishers of Odisha are vulnerable to climate change. Also, it throws light on the location and context specificity of livelihood vulnerability.

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Mapping Climate Vulnerability of River Basin Communities in Tanzania to Inform Resilience Interventions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12104102 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 4102 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Denis Macharia ◽

Erneus Kaijage ◽

Leif Kindberg ◽

Grace Koech ◽

Lilian Ndungu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Water Resources ◽

Local Government ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Government Agencies ◽

Socioeconomic Indicators ◽

Climate Variability And Change ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Climate Vulnerability

Increasing climate variability and change coupled with steady population growth is threatening water resources and livelihoods of communities living in the Wami-Ruvu and Rufiji basins in Tanzania. These basins are host to three large urban centers, namely Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Morogoro, with a combined total of more than 7 million people. Increased demand for ecosystem services from the available surface water resources and a decreasing supply of clean and safe water are exacerbating the vulnerability of communities in these basins. Several studies have analyzed climate projects in the two basins but little attention has been paid to identify locations that have vulnerable communities in a spatially-explicit form. To address this gap, we worked with stakeholders from national and local government agencies, basin water boards and the Water Resources Integration Development Initiative (WARIDI) project funded by USAID to map the vulnerability of communities to climate variability and change in the two basins. A generalized methodology for mapping social vulnerability to climate change was used to integrate biophysical and socioeconomic indicators of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity and produced climate vulnerability index maps. Our analysis identified vulnerability “hotspots” where communities are at a greater risk from climate stressors. The results from this study were used to identify priority sites and adaptation measures for the implementation of resilience building interventions and to train local government agencies and communities on climate change adaptation measures in the two basins.

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Managing Murray–Darling Basin livestock systems in a variable and changing climate: challenges and opportunities

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj10039 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 293 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

S. J. Crimp ◽

C. J. Stokes ◽

S. M. Howden ◽

A. D. Moore ◽

B. Jacobs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽

Composite Index ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Financial Capital ◽

Weather Factors ◽

Changing Climate ◽

Murray Darling Basin ◽

Challenges And Opportunities

The key biophysical impacts associated with projected climate change in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) include: declines in pasture productivity, reduced forage quality, livestock heat stress, greater problems with some pests and weeds, more frequent droughts, more intense rainfall events, and greater risks of soil degradation. The most arid and least productive rangelands in the MDB region may be the most severely impacted by climate change, while the more productive eastern and northern grazing lands in the MDB may provide some opportunities for slight increases in production. In order to continue to thrive in the future, livestock industries need to anticipate these changes, prepare for uncertainty, and develop adaptation strategies now. While climate change will have direct effects on livestock, the dominant influences on grazing enterprises in the MDB will be through changes in plant growth and the timing, quantity and quality of forage availability. Climate change will involve a complex mix of responses to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, rising temperatures, changes in rainfall and other weather factors, and broader issues related to how people collectively and individually respond to these changes. Enhancing the ability of individuals to respond to a changing climate will occur through building adaptive capacity. We have, via secondary data, selected from the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, built a national composite index of generic adaptive capacity of rural households. This approach expresses adaptive capacity as an emergent property of the diverse forms of human, social, natural, physical and financial capital from which livelihoods are derived. Human capital was rated as ‘high’ across the majority of the MDB compared with the rest of Australia, while social, physical and financial capital were rated as ‘moderate’ to ‘low’. The resultant measure of adaptive capacity, made up of the five capitals, was ‘low’ in the northern and central-west regions of the MDB and higher in the central and eastern parts possibly indicating a greater propensity to adapt to climate change in these regions.

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Assessment of Livelihood Vulnerability of Fisherfolks in Coastal and Freshwater Fishing Communities of Ilaje in Ondo State

Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research ◽

10.9734/ajfar/2021/v11i230197 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Siyanbola A. Omitoyin ◽

Adeniyi P. Ogungbure ◽

Kemisola D. Osakuade

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Composite Index ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

Coastal Communities ◽

Fishing Communities ◽

The Social ◽

Ondo State ◽

Food Vulnerability ◽

Vulnerability Score

The study assessed the livelihood vulnerability of fisherfolks in both coastal and freshwater fishing communities of Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo state, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 200 fisherfolks from both communities. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, Livelihood Vulnerability Index data were aggregated using a composite index and differential vulnerabilities were compared. The results showed that majority of the fisherfolks from freshwater and coastal communities were below 46 years old, respondents from the freshwater communities were 95% male, 5% females while all (100%) respondents in the coastal communities were male with majority assenting to fishing as their primary occupation. The freshwater communities showed greater vulnerability on the socio-demographic profile (SDP) index than coastal communities (SDP freshwater 0.49;SDPcoastal communities 0.34). Freshwater also showed greater vulnerability on the livelihood strategies component (0.45) than coastal communities (0.40). The social networks indicators were the same for the two communities. The overall health vulnerability score for freshwater communities (0.46) was higher than that for coastal communities (0.44). Also, the overall food vulnerability score for freshwater households (0.23) was greater than that of coastal community households (0.22). Freshwater households had a lower vulnerability score (0.03) for the water component than coastal communities (0.17). Based on the incidents of flooding, droughts, storms and erosion, households in the coastal communities (0.50) were more vulnerable to natural disasters than those in the freshwater communities (0.41). Overall, coastal communities had a higher Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) than freshwater (0.357 versus 0.356).This logical approach may be used to monitor vulnerability, programs and resources to assist fisherfolks. Also, there should be enlightenment on how to mitigate the factors enhancing climate change while good infrastructure and aids be given to those who suffer losses due to climate change impacts.

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Analysing agricultural drought vulnerability at sub-district level through exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity based composite index

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences ◽

10.5194/isprsarchives-xl-8-65-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol XL-8 ◽

pp. 65-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C. S. Murthy ◽

B. Laxman ◽

M. V. R. Sesha Sai ◽

P. G. Diwakar

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Capacity ◽

Composite Index ◽

Vulnerability Index ◽

The State ◽

District Level ◽

Agricultural Drought ◽

Current Status ◽

Drought Vulnerability ◽

Related Data ◽

Land Holdings

Information on agricultural drought vulnerability status of different regions is extremely useful for implementation of long term drought management measures. A quantitative approach for measuring agricultural drought vulnerability at sub-district level was developed and implemented in the current study, which was carried-out in Andhra Pradesh state, India with the data of main cropping season i.e., kharif. The contributing indicators represent exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity components of vulnerability and were drawn from weather, soil, crop, irrigation and land holdings related data. After performing data normalisation and variance based weights generation, component wise composite indices were generated. Agricultural Drought Vulnerability Index (ADVI) was generated using the three component indices and beta distribution was fitted to it. Mandals (sub-district level administrative units) of the state were categorised into 5 classes – Less vulnerable, Moderately vulnerable, Vulnerable, Highly vulnerable and Very highly vulnerable. Districts dominant with vulnerable Mandals showed considerably larger variability of detrended yields of principal crops compared to the other districts, thus validating the index based vulnerability status. Current status of agricultural drought vulnerability in the state, based on ADVI, indicated that vulnerable to very highly vulnerable group of Mandals represent 54 % of total Mandals and about 55 % of the agricultural area and 65 % of the rainfed crop area. The variability in the agricultural drought vulnerability at disaggregated level was effectively captured by ADVI. The vulnerability status map is useful for diagnostic analysis and for formulating vulnerability reduction plans.

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