scholarly journals A Framework for Assessment of Micro Level Vulnerability to Climate Variability of Farmers: A Case Study in Kerala, India

2021 ◽  
pp. 204-209
Author(s):  
S. Ajmal ◽  
T. Paul Lazarus ◽  
Aswathy Vijayan ◽  
Brigit Joseph ◽  
R. V. Manju
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Empirical Method ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Different Levels

The vulnerability of farmers to climate variability is an important topic of discussion. It varies depending upon diverse factors that disturbing it, likewise, the extent of vulnerability varies according to different levels, i.e.; from a whole country level to an individual level or in other words from macro to micro level. This study attempts to build a framework for the assessment of the microlevel vulnerability of farmers. A vulnerability index was made from normalized values of three major component indices (sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity), which is made up of a selected number of sub components. The study was conducted by selecting respondents from two districts of Kerala, and it was found that this method can be used as an empirical method to interpret the vulnerability to climate variability, keeping the fact that it is only a constrained measure of risk.

Impact of climate variability on coffee yield in India—with a micro-level case study using long-term coffee yield data of humid tropical Kerala

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 335-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jayakumar ◽  
M. Rajavel ◽  
U. Surendran ◽  
Girish Gopinath ◽  
K. Ramamoorthy
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Coffee Yield ◽  
Micro Level

Do semantic modal maps have a role in a constructionalization approach to modals?

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Closs Traugott
Keyword(s):  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Semantic Maps ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Conceptual Schemas

My aim in this paper is to show that, in modified form, semantic connectivity maps of the kind developed in van der Auwera & Plungian (1998) and van der Auwera (2013) can be useful for showing the development over time of relationships among polysemous constructions. Since these maps pertain primarily to meaning and are intended as contributions to cross-linguistic generalizations rather than to language-specific grammars, their purpose might seem orthogonal to construction grammar, in which form–meaning pairs are the basic units of grammar. I propose that the semantic maps can usefully be rethought as being of two kinds: schema-construction maps that represent relationships between abstract, conceptual schemas linked to underspecified form, and micro-construction maps that represent relationships between specific constructions. These two kinds of maps capture both form and meaning since they represent form–meaning pairings, but at different levels of abstraction. They can also capture direction of changes, as tendencies at the schema level and specific trajectories at the micro-level. My case study is the development of the marginal modals better, rather, sooner (see Denison & Cort 2010, van der Auwera & De Wit 2010). I show that better is significantly different in distribution and meaning from rather and sooner, and that, although they form a family of micro-constructions, they do not form a tight-knit group. This can be captured well by modified semantic maps.

scholarly journals VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATIC RISKS IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ASPECTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-258
Author(s):  
Valentin Răileanu ◽  
Maria Nedealcov ◽  
Galina Mîndru ◽  
Rodica Cojocari ◽  
Olga Crivova
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Initial Data ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Climatic Risks

Republic of Moldova’s territory’s Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), calculated from exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climate risks, is presented. Extreme values of climate risk factors, water supply, and statistical data on socio-demographic profile were used as the initial data. As a case study, LVI and its components for the Cogâlnic River’s basin within the limits of Republic of Moldova’s boundaries was extracted from the obtained maps.

L. Levels of Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 155-158
Author(s):  
Mauro Caprioli ◽  
Claire Dupuy
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Levels Of Analysis ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Social ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Citizens Attitudes ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Level Of Analysis

This chapter studies levels of analysis. Research in the social sciences may be interested in subjects located at different levels of analysis. The level of analysis indicates the position at which social and political phenomena are analysed within a gradual order of abstraction or aggregation that is constructed analytically. Its definition and boundaries vary across social science disciplines. In general, the micro level refers to the individual level and focuses on citizens’ attitudes or politicians’ and diplomats’ behaviour. Analyses at the meso level focus on groups and organizations, like political parties, social movements, and public administrations. The macro level corresponds to structures that are national, social, economic, cultural, or institutional — for example, countries and national or supranational political regimes. The explanandum (what research aims to account for), the explanans (the explanations), the unit of analysis, and data collection can be located at different levels. The chapter then considers two main errors commonly associated with aggregation and levels of analysis: ecological and atomistic fallacies.

Rethinking Civilizational Identity from the Bottom Up: A Case Study of Russia and a Research Agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 585-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry E. Hale ◽  
Marlene Laruelle
Keyword(s):  
Social Construction ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Primary Identification ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Performance Results

Abstract“Civilization” is surely among those concepts that are the most widely used in world political discourse but taken least seriously by contemporary social science. We argue for jettisoning this concept’s Huntingtonian baggage, which has led scholarship into a dead end, and developing a new body of theory on a different foundation, one grounded strongly in recent nonprimordial theories of identity and micro-level research into how ordinary people actually understand the civilizational appeals made by their elites. In what we believe to be the first systematic survey-based study of individual-level civilizational identification, we establish proof-of-concept by asking a question: What influences individuals’ primary identification of their own country with particular civilizational alternatives offered up by their elites? Pooling survey data gathered in Russia from 2013–2014, we confirm that civilizational identity reflects the influence of situational considerations and social construction processes. Whether individuals see Russia as part of purported “European,” “Eurasian,” or “Asian” civilizations depends heavily on gendered and nongendered socialization during the USSR period and factors as contingent as perceived economic performance. Results also confirm our expectation that Huntingtonian concepts fit poorly with real-world patterns of civilizational identification.

scholarly journals Communities’ Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Variability in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misganaw Teshager Abeje ◽  
Atsushi Tsunekawa ◽  
Nigussie Haregeweyn ◽  
Zerihun Nigussie ◽  
Enyew Adgo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Kendall Test ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood

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.

scholarly journals Assessment of Vulnerability of Croplands to Climate Variability in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 12-39
Author(s):  
Dada Ibilewa ◽  
Mustapha Aliyu ◽  
Samaila K. Ishaya ◽  
Joshua I. Magaji
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Vulnerability Assessment ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Variability Pattern ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Vulnerability Maps

Despite the wide coverage of study on vulnerability in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria over the years, it was observed that no emphasis has been placed on assessment of vulnerability of croplands to climate variability using the integrated vulnerability assessment and Geo-Informatics technique. This was achieved by determining the climate variability pattern in FCT from 1981 to 2017, determining the exposure index and the degree of sensitivity of croplands to climate variability, assessing the adaptive capacity of farmers to climate variability, evaluating the vulnerability of croplands to climate variability and developing vulnerability maps of croplands using the information produced. Yam, beans and maize were used as referenced crops in this study. Indicators were generated and analyzed on the three components of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The study used the mixed research design. The Analytical Hierarchy Process was used to assign weight to the indicators. The weights were used to generate the exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity indices which were used to generate the vulnerability index map. Aggregate vulnerability index (AVI) was finally determined from the weighted sum of all indicators and used to produce the vulnerability map of the six Area Councils. The study shows that Gwagwalada Area Council has the highest vulnerability (0.2323) and Abaji Area Council has the lowest (0.005). Kwali and AMAC Area Councils were highly vulnerable to climate variability (Kwali 0.1562, AMAC 0.1565). Kuje Area Council has low vulnerability (0.0273) to climate variability. Bwari Area Council showed moderate vulnerability (0.0982). The implication of the results is that the three crops (maize, beans and yam) will produce moderately at moderate vulnerability while their production will be marginal and optimal at very high and very low vulnerabilities respectively. Crop production will be optimum in Abaji, marginal in Gwagwalada and moderate in Bwari. The study also revealed that vulnerability assessment is essential in determining the varying degrees of vulnerability in different localities. It also provides information that can help researchers, policy makers, private and public institutions in planning location-based adaptation strategies and prioritizing allocating limited resources in FCT. Agriculture should be heavily subsidized in terms of providing irrigation infrastructure to farmers to reduce over-reliance on rain fed agriculture. Installation of early weather warning system manned with expertise should be made available in all the Area Councils to provide timely and accurate climatic information to farmers.

scholarly journals Rural households’ livelihood vulnerability to climate variability and extremes: a livelihood zone-based approach in the Northeastern Highlands of Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abebe Arega Mekonen ◽  
Arega Bazezew Berlie
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Moderate Level ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Population Pressure ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Climate Vulnerability Index ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background The adverse effects of climate variability and extremes exert increasing pressure on rural farm households whose livelihoods are dependent on nature. However, integrated and area-specific vulnerability assessments in Ethiopia in general and the study area, in particular, are scarce and insufficient for policy implications. Therefore, this study aims to quantify, map, classify, and prioritize the level of vulnerability in terms of the components of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity in the Northeastern Highlands of Ethiopia. The study area is divided into six livelihood zones, namely, Abay-Beshilo Basin (ABB), South Wollo and Oromia eastern lowland sorghum and cattle (SWS), Chefa Valley (CHV), Meher-Belg, Belg, and Meher. A total of 361 sample households were selected using proportional probability sampling techniques. Survey questionnaire, key informant interview, and focus group discussions were used to collect the necessary data. Rainfall and temperature data were also used. Following the IPCC’s climate change vulnerability assessment approach, the climate vulnerability index (CVI) framework of Sullivan and Meigh’s model was used to assess the relative vulnerability of livelihoods of rural households. Twenty-four vulnerability indicators were identified for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity components. In this regard, Iyengar and Sudarshan’s unequal weighting system was applied to assign a weight to indicators. Results The results revealed that Belg and Meher were found to be the highest exposure livelihood zones to vulnerability with an aggregated value of 0.71. Equally, SWS, ABB, Belg, and CHV livelihood zones showed moderate level of sensitivity to vulnerability with an aggregated value between 0.45 and 0.60. The study noted that livelihood zone of Belg (0.75) was found to be at high level of livelihood vulnerability. ABB (0.57) and CHV (0.45) were at a moderate level of livelihood vulnerability while Meher-Belg (0.22) was the least vulnerable livelihood zone due to a high level of adaptive capacity such as infrastructure, asset accumulation, and social networks. Conclusion It was identified that disparities of livelihood vulnerability levels of rural households were detected across the study livelihood zones due to differences in the interaction of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity components. The highest levels of exposure and sensitivity combined with low level of adaptive capacity have increased households’ livelihood vulnerability. More importantly, the biophysical and socioeconomic sensitivity to livelihood vulnerability were exacerbated by slope/topography, soil erodibility, and population pressure. Therefore, designing livelihood zone-based identifiable adaptation strategies are essential to reduce the exposure and sensitivity of crop-livestock mixed agricultural systems to climate calamity.

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