Drought Vulnerability Assessment and Cluster Analysis of Island Areas Taking Korean Island Areas at Eup (Town) and Myeon (Subcounty) Levels as Study Targets

The purpose of this study is to conduct drought vulnerability assessment and cluster analysis of Korean island areas at eup (town) myeon (subcounty) level. Drought vulnerability assessment was conducted using factor analysis and entropy method, and cluster analysis was analyzed using K-means, a nonhierarchical cluster analysis method. Vulnerability consisted of climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Twenty-two indicators were used to evaluate and analyze vulnerability of drought in small island areas. The results of entropy method showed that winter rainfall, no rainfall days, agricultural population rate, cultivation area rate, water supply rate and groundwater capacity have a substantial impact on drought assessment. The overall assessment of vulnerability indicated that Seodo-myeon Ganghwa-gun, Seolcheon-myeon Namhae-gun, and Samsan-myeon Ganghwa-gun were most vulnerable to drought. The cluster analysis was evaluated by categorizing the regions into three clusters, and policy support and planning are needed to suit the characteristics of each cluster was observed.

Livelihood vulnerability and climate change: a comparative analysis of smallholders in the Indo-Gangetic plains

In the Indo-Gangetic Plains, one of India’s most productive agricultural regions, smallholder livelihood vulnerability can inhibit sustainable development. As there are significant differences in economic development, natural resources and agricultural productivity within the region, we estimate the Livelihood Vulnerability Index in two districts (Vaishali, Bihar and Karnal, Haryana) to determine suitable adaptation strategies under diverse conditions. To reflect different aspects of climate exposure, we include both self-reported climate shocks and spatially interpolated weather data. The assessment of 1127 households shows that while both districts have similar exposure and adaptive capacity levels, the sensitivity dimension makes Vaishali more vulnerable to climate change. To reduce sensitivity, decision-makers should focus on improving infrastructure (e.g., permanent housing, latrines, health centers, alternative energy sources). To improve adaptive capacity and reduce climate risk in both regions, policymakers should promote the expansion of extension training for livelihood diversification, information and communication technologies as well as conservation agriculture.

Urban agglomeration worsens spatial disparities in climate adaptation

Many countries promote urban agglomeration to enhance economic competitiveness, but the impacts of this strategy on local climate adaptation remain poorly understood. Here, we use variation in greenspaces to test the effectiveness of climate adaptation policy across climate impacts and vulnerability dimensions. Using satellite imagery and logistic regression, we analyze spatiotemporal correlation between greenspace and climate vulnerability in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, an area comprising ~ 70 million people and 11 cities, making it a useful natural experiment for our study. We find that while greenspace increases proportionally with climate exposure and sensitivity, many cities exhibit discrepancies between greenspace variation and climate vulnerability. Green adaptation funnels into wealthier, less vulnerable areas while bypassing more vulnerable ones, increasing their climate vulnerability and undermining the benefits of urban agglomeration. The results suggest that centrally-planned climate adaptation policy must accommodate local heterogeneity to improve urban sustainability. By neglecting local heterogeneity, urban agglomeration policy risks exacerbating spatial inequalities in climate adaptation.

A Network Perspective of the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum in the Tourist Trails of UNESCO Global Geoparks: Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio Trails, Araripe UGG (NE of Brazil)

In this investigation, we formulated the Ecosystem’s Health Provision Spectrum and its centrality indicators, based on the identification of the Ecosystem Health Potentials and Opportunities on the trails of Santo Sepulcro and Riacho do Meio in the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG), establishing a baseline for the promotion of green exercise and geotourism in the territory. Based on the network methodology for complex systems, we analyzed the closeness and strength of biotic, abiotic variables, nature phenomena, infrastructure, and sensory experiences in order to determine the configuration of these associations. In the Santo Sepulcro, regarding the association, two negative relations and two positive relations among the variables were highlighted; as for closeness and strength, Aquatic Diversity with the Scientific Values of Geodiversity stood out. In Riacho do Meio, we highlight three positive associations among the variables; as for connectivity, Biodiversity and Meteorological and Climate Exposure presented the highest values and, as for strength, the variables Biodiversity, Route Classification, and Aquatic Diversity were the most prominent. We conclude, based on the presented configuration, that the variables with greater connectivity act as hubs; if these variables are optimized, the network will present an acceptable theoretical configuration. However, neglecting central strength variables can cause the network to collapse.

Urban Flood Vulnerability Assessment Using the Entropy Weight Method

Locally concentrated heavy rainfall has led to an increase in the occurrence of flood damage. This is especially so in the urban areas, which are relatively more vulnerable to flood damage due to the high population and property density. In Seoul, which has 25 administrative districts, heavy rainfall triggered flood-related damage in 2010, 2011, and 2018. However, the flood characteristics of each district were different due to difference in flood impact factors such as topography, weather, and disaster prevention measures. The flood vulnerability of each district should be assessed based on local characteristics to reduce flood damage. This study collected and calculated 15 characteristic data points that can explain the climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of each district using the entropy weight method. Thereafter, the flood vulnerability of each district was calculated based on climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, using the Euclidean method. The results showed that the northern and western areas in Seoul are highly vulnerable due to high climate exposure, sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity. In contrast, the other parts of Seoul had low vulnerability due to high sensitivity, low climate exposure, and high adaptive capacity. These results will contribute to the establishment of a flood damage reduction plan that reflects local characteristics.

A Method for the Definition of Local Vulnerability Domains to Climate Change and Relate Mapping. Two Case Studies in Southern Italy

Climate change is contributing to raising disaster risk, with variable impacts depending on the local level of vulnerability. This paper describes a method for the definition of local vulnerability domains to climate change. The application of the methodology is aimed at building local vulnerability maps. The set of indicators of climate exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, theoretically identified and practically tested on two case studies in southern Italy, contributes to support the territories in identifying the main local vulnerabilities, as well as define, subsequently, a systematic framework for identifying the most suitable mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change according to the specificities of the contexts of interest. In this regard, we consider the framework of risks and related impacts due to climate change on urban infrastructure proposed by the European Commission in order to face common challenges in the EU territories. Specifically, reference is made to three thematic focuses, which are “transport infrastructures”, “energy infrastructures” and “buildings and construction sector”. Although still at an early stage, the results of the research contribute to identifying useful elements of interrelation with the urban context for guiding resilient planning choices and reducing risks.

Ecological Vulnerability of Coral Reef Ecosystem in Wakatobi National Park During Indian Ocean Dipole Event

This research examines coral reefs vulnerability which threatening its existences and functions by climate change. The ecological vulnerability in Wakatobi (Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, and Binongko) was assessed during Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event in 2016. Climate exposure was determined using sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, and wind speed magnitude; sensitivity was determined using coral susceptibility, fish susceptibility, and macroalgae primary productivity rate; then adaptive capacity was developed by hard coral cover, coral size distribution, coral richness, fish biomass, herbivore diversity, and herbivore grazing relative to algal production. The values of Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive capacity in Wakatobi were 0.93±0.02, 0.42±0.18, and 0.44±0.10, respectively. Site specific vulnerability scores ranged from 0.52 to 1.60 (mean 0.92±0.26). Binongko was the least vulnerable than other islands. Tomia was observed as the least adaptive capacity and Wangi-wangi was the most bleaching incidents. These results could help coral reefs monitoring priority during the event and then when the event is gone by focusing on the marked islands and sites. Sites that were observed as more vulnerable is urgently need a management strategy to overcome the vulnerability status in the future, such as increasing site adaptability.