Soil, Water, and Climate Change Integrated Impact Assessment on Yields

This article describes the potential yields of maize, wheat and barley which were modeled with climate change, soil degradation and water balance scenarios in central Mexico. Two adaptation measures were also evaluated. To estimate yields the AquaCrop-FAO model was applied. Three study cases were chosen and their climate, soil, phenological and management information was compiled. Once calibrated, the authors tested the response in yields for 28 climate change scenarios: five General Circulation Models, two RCP and three-time horizons. Two adaptation actions were evaluated: changing planting date and increase of organic mulches. Results show that yield of maize in the near future (2015-2039) would fall 50% average, barley and wheat yields would decrease in 40% and 25% respectively. If soil degradation and loss is considered, the yield will reduce considerably. Adaptation measure based on changing planting date was as effective as increasing mulches. It is necessary to consider soil together with climate change scenarios in yield modeling. It is possible to suggest wrong adaptation measures if only the climate is considered and not all the variables involved.

Homecoming without Nostalgia: Local Communities and the Reintroduction of the Wild Forest Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus sennicus) in Finland

Wildlife translocations often raise concerns about the purpose and impact among people living in target locations. We applied the integrated impact assessment in planning the reintroduction of wild forest reindeer in Finland. We investigated the variety of expected socioecological impacts, the relative importance of these impacts and local willingness to participate in local-level reintroduction activities. The reintroduction project organised interactive forums in 2013 and 2016 in each of the four regions suitable for wild forest reindeer. The variety of recognised potential impacts was high, but the relative importance given to the expected impacts varied relatively little from forum to forum. Importantly, we found a contextual and relational value of wild forest reindeer that extended beyond their intrinsic and instrumental value. The results indicate high local acceptance of reintroduction and willingness to participate in it.

Integrated impact assessment method for the water transfer project on regional development

Water transfer projects in China have become a popular research topic in recent years. This study develops a method for evaluating the comprehensive impacts of water transfer projects on regional development. In the qualitative assessment, the comprehensive index method is employed, and an evaluation index system is established from economic, social and environmental perspectives. In this approach, the weights are determined by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy combined method. In the quantitative assessment, the sharing coefficient method is used. The procedure is applied to the water transfer project from the Yangtze River to the Taihu Lake. The qualitative results indicate that the conclusion of the water transfer project had a ‘large positive impact’ in 2016. In the quantitative assessment, the comprehensive benefit of increasing water supply via the project was 1.87 billion CNY in 2016. In addition, the integrated impact assessment method can be implemented at the seasonal scale to produce refined results. These results show that the proposed method can provide technical support for project operation and policy formulation.