The perception of and adaptation to climate variability/change in Ghana by small-scale and commercial farmers

Effective adaptation to climate change and variability is contingent on the perceptions of farmers and the ability of policy makers to merge these with scientific knowledge systems. The study examined the differentiated knowledge, experiences and perceptions of small traditional farmers and modern commercial farmers and their adaptation influences using qualitative interviews. Farmers generally have very clear ideas of the trends in the parameters of climate change as they relate to farm productivity and other livelihoods. Commercial farmers had a better understanding of the science of climate change, but small farmers presented a localised explanation of observed climate changes. Non-climate factors influenced adaptation of both groups of farmers. The capacities of small farmers are lower than their commercial counterparts, but the risks associated with commercial farming are much higher owing to higher investments in uncertain physical and economic conditions. Differentiated policies are needed at climate proofing the investments and efforts of farmers.     

Five reasons why it is difficult to talk to Australian farmers about the impacts of,and their adaptation to,climate change

Some recent funding programmes in Australia on climate adaptation have expected active engagement with farmers in research projects. Based on our direct experience with 30 farmers and their advisors, we list five reasons why it is difficult to gain traction with farmers in discussing the likely impacts of climate change on their farms and the possible adaptation options they should be considering in preparation for a future changed climate. The reasons concern the slow and uncertain trajectory for changes in climate relative to the time horizon for farm decision-making, when set against short-term fluctuations in weather, prices, costs and government policy. Farmers have optimism for ongoing technological progress keeping abreast of any negative impacts of climate on their production. As one moves from incremental to transformational adaptation options, biophysical research has less to offer because decisions become based more on business structure, portfolio management, off-farm investments and geographical diversification. Some farmers also doubt the intentions of climate change researchers and are wary of anything they may have to offer. We propose there is an actionable decision space where agricultural science and economics can contribute to meaningful analysis of impacts and adaptation to climate change by farmers. This will involve emphasising the principles of farm management rather than defining optimal farm plans; the use of scenario planning to explore possible futures in a turbulent environment for farming; a focus on short-term adjustments as a path to longer term adaptation; re-gaining the trust of some farmers towards climate change scientists through better communication strategies; and understanding the linkages between adaptation options and enabling factors and technologies.     

Invasion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mimosa pigra</Emphasis> on the cultivated Mekong River floodplains near Kratie,Cambodia: farmers’ coping strategies,perceptions, and outlooks

Mimosa pigra, an alien woody weed, invaded the Mekong River Basin since ~1970 and now covers vast floodplain areas in virtual monocultures. The prickly plants produce abundant seeds which are dispersed annually by the floods. Mimosa thus represents a burden to farming communities in Cambodia where agricultural capacities are weak. To obtain information on infestations as well as farmers’ management practices and perceptions, 81 farmers were interviewed on their fields (using questionnaires) in affected areas near Kratie municipality. Data on infestations were collected at landscape and field levels. Furthermore, villagers’ groups and key informants were interviewed (open questions). Infestations covered ~30 % of the land near fields. On average, farmers spent 11 days per hectare annually clearing mimosa. The weed represented a major cost, but other issues (animal pests, water shortages, lack of resources) were equally important; these may be connected with mimosa invasion. Farmers mostly expressed support for ideas to combat surrounding infestations, but support depended on experiences and assets at stake. Most were unconvinced that mimosa could be eliminated from the study site. Conceivable benefits of mimosa were regarded as insignificant. Given the currently few realistic options for significantly improving management, further research is suggested within adaptive management frameworks.     

Climate change perceptions and adaptations of smallholder farmers in Eastern Kenya

Several studies have indicated the importance of understanding farmers’ perceptions of risks associated with climate change, the adaptation strategies they employ and factors that affect adaptive capacity. This study aimed to understand smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change, adaptation strategies and adaptive capacity in the semiarid Matungulu Sub-County, Eastern Kenya. A participatory approach, using three climate roundtables, was conducted to enhance community participation and understanding of climate change issues. The study showed that farmers’ perceptions concerning climate change are influenced by past experiences of weather extremes that have affected production levels and farm incomes. The farmers have made strategic responses to manage risks posed by climate change. However, they face several challenges in adaptation such as inadequate technical knowledge, low financial resources and inadequate land size. Further, the study showed that climate roundtables is a successful participatory approach that can give effective insights for smallholder farmers to understand agricultural vulnerability, climate change and their adaptation strategies.     

资本禀赋对农户水土保持技术价值认知的影响——以黄土高原区为例

农户对水土保持技术的价值认知,不仅反映了农户对水土保持技术的主观认识和接受程度,而且影响到水土流失治理的成效和美丽乡村建设的进程。鉴于此,基于黄土高原区1 152户农户调研数据、采用Heckman Selection Model实证分析了资本禀赋对农户水土保持技术的价值认知以及认知程度的影响。研究结果表明：（1）农户对水土保持技术的增产价值、增收价值、生态价值认知程度较高的农民比例分别为13.89%、12.5%、19.01%,农民对水土保持技术的价值认知不高。（2）影响农民对水土保持技术增产价值认知程度的因素主要有受教育程度、劳动力数量、房屋类型、耕地面积、村干部、相互信任、相互帮忙;影响增收价值认知程度的因素主要有房屋类型、相互信任、相互帮助;劳动力数量、房屋类型、相互信任、相互帮忙、信息渠道等变量则显著影响了农民对生态价值认知程度。     

Climate change impacts on rainfed cropping production systems in the tropics and the case of smallholder farms in North-west Cambodia

The consequences of climate change on smallholder farms are locally specific and difficult to quantify because of variations in farming systems, complexity of agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood activities and climate-related vulnerability. One way to better understand the issues is to learn from the experiences of farmers themselves. Thus, this study aimed to better understand rainfed upland cropping systems in NW Cambodia and to identify practical, social and economic constraints to adoption of known climate adaptation options applicable to local agro-ecosystems. The study also sought to document the climate change perceptions and adaptation options employed by farmers to mitigate the climate risks. A household survey was conducted in the districts of Sala Krau and Samlout in North-west Cambodia in 2013 where 390 representatives of households were randomly selected for interviews, group discussions and field observations. The majority of respondents perceived that changes had occurred in the rainfall pattern such as a later start to the monsoon season, decreasing annual rainfall, increasing frequencies of drought and dry spells, and warmer temperatures. Farmers reported reductions in crop yields of 16–27 % over the five-year period of 2008–2012. However, these reductions were not evident in provincial data for the same period. Farmers claimed climate impacts resulted in significant yield reductions, but they appear not to have an effective strategy to adapt to the changes in climate. Further regional research is required to refine climate change adaptation strategies for rainfed upland cropping systems in Cambodia.     

Evaluation of the Design Features of Interactive Sea-Level Rise Viewers for Risk Communication

Interactive sea-level rise viewers (ISLRVs) are digital tools used to communicate about impacts of sea-level rise (SLR) and support decision-making. This study characterizes how ISLRVs communicate about SLR-related risks and provide decision-making support. It identifies key themes about fostering accurate mental models of SLR processes, informing about inundation likelihood, communicating about related social and ecological risks, and providing features users can apply to specific tasks. We present a framework for understanding this type of communication tool that designers can use to develop robust ISLRVs that can support audiences’ understanding and decision-making needs, and contribute to enhancement of coastal resiliency.     

Simulation and multicriteria analysis in sustainable coastal planning: the case of aquaculture in Thermaikos Gulf, Greece

Mussel aquaculture in Thermaikos Gulf is facing a great challenge to tackle both institutional and production planning aspects. Local stakeholders are concerned about the future design of an efficient and equitable legal planning framework for the aquaculture, as well as about the improvement of production planning in order to optimize the total economic outcome of mussel activity in the area. The present paper focuses on the assessment of alternative production planning decisions, under the assumption that an efficient and socially acceptable institutional framework is already established. To this end, a case-specific decision-making tool is designed aiming to combine simulation modelling and multicriteria analysis. The main interactions between the environmental and cultivation conditions and the socio-economic parameters of the local aquaculture are specified according to a previous modelling effort concerning the long-line mussel farms of the study area. These interactions are then incorporated into a multicriteria model, which is formulated to handle the decision-making problem of selecting the best alternative planning decisions. This is actually a problem of evaluating and choosing the most promising policy options in terms of local society preferences. An integrated approach is followed, by means of an analytic hierarchy process, aiming at analysing the preferences of local community by determining the weights for a specific set of (sustainability) criteria. The relative importance of these criteria is determined through a questionnaire survey among the local stakeholders. The results from this application show that future planning policies should focus on production techniques, which are likely to enhance the quality of mussel production and, at the same time, to minimize the economic risk associated with the local occurrence of Harmful Algal Bloom events.     

市场信任对农户生物农药施用行为的影响 ——基于制度环境的调节效应分析

生产者市场信任缺失将导致绿色农产品供给严重不足，并由供给缺位引致食品供给侧结构性失衡。基于湖北省804份水稻种植户的微观调研数据，探讨了市场信任、制度环境对农户生物农药施用行为的影响。研究发现：（1）农户不仅对市场上售卖的农产品缺乏消费信任，而且缺乏绿色农产品生产信任，67.79%的样本农户对绿色农产品的市场销售表露担忧；（2）市场信任对农户施用生物农药行为具有显著的促进作用，与激励制度相比，市场约束制度对农户施用生物农药的影响更显著，且市场激励与约束制度能有效弥补农户市场信任不足；（3）政府和企业对农户生物农药施用行为的影响存在差异，企业和政府监管都能显著促进农户的生物农药施用，但企业对农户生产行为的约束效果要优于政府。因此，要提升农户的绿色农产品市场信任，加强激励与约束制度环境的建设，倡导多元共治以弥补政府职能的有限性。     

Are South Indian farmers adaptable to global change? A case in an Andhra Pradesh catchment basin

Global changes are already having an impact on South Indian farmers. Climate change is affecting the agricultural sector since it is dependent on climatic conditions and water resource availability. The impacts tend to be greater in semi-arid hard rock areas with few water resources. Furthermore, South India area is experiencing a profound agrarian crisis, which is linked, among others, to debt and credit problems. The study reported in this paper aims to develop a methodology to compare and rank farmers according to their ability to adapt to global change. The definition of adaptive capacity is based on a livelihood assets approach. Indicators are evaluated through individual surveys among farmers, then, weighted using the analytic hierarchy process and aggregated via compromise programming. The result is a standardized score measuring the distance of each farmer from an ideal adaptive capacity. Farmers are ranked according to this distance, which allows a comparison of their relative ability to adapt. At the basin scale, it shows that the geographic position of farmers is a significant factor in adaptation performance. The proximity of an administrative center contributes to an increase of their adaptive capacity. Small farming areas limit the adaptive capacities of marginal and small farmers while the largest farmers are constrained by economic factors such as large loans. These study findings offer interesting indications on the variability of farmers’ weaknesses and are bringing a better understanding of the causes of poor performance.     

Irish fish, Irish people: roles and responsibilities for an emptying ocean

Human decisions shape patterns of seafood resource use. Consequently, it is also these decisions made by actors within seafood industries which ultimately determine the environmental impact of fisheries resource extraction from marine environments. In this study, we investigated the roles and influences of various actors within the Irish seafood industry. Our objectives were to learn more about the working dynamics of the industry and identify possibilities for improvements towards industry sustainability. We employed qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews, focus groups and participant observation to access information from Irish consumers, retailers, wholesalers, scientists and key industry informants. The diversity of seafood products available within the Irish market is generally low. However, consumers who experiment with trying new varieties of seafood are influenced by dining experiences at restaurants or while travelling abroad as well as through cooking shows or cookbooks. Potential for influence on factors including consumer choice, stocking and sourcing decisions, business management and fisheries policy was found within all levels of the seafood industry, though a sense of responsibility in the context of seafood sustainability was less common. In addition, the absence of shortages within the Irish market due to imports, aquaculture and mislabelling appears to be preventing widespread acceptance about claims of overfishing. It is clear that ultimately, responsible policy decisions and effective enforcement will be needed to improve the overall sustainability of the industry. However, pressure for positive change can come from all actors that prioritise sustainability as the most important objective for future industry operation.     

Maize bushy stunt in native corn: implications for Mexican “subsistence farmers”

Native corn in Mexico can be affected by maize bushy stunt disease (MBS), which can negatively impact maize-farming operations. Maize bushy stunt symptoms in native corn were linked to the presence of phytoplasmas through molecular analysis of symptomatic native corn plants in Mexico. These findings motivated a socioeconomic characterization and identification of the management strategies developed by the “subsistence farmers” of those communities to answer the questions: What elements of farming affect the presence of MBS disease in “subsistence farmers” fields? What do “subsistence farmers” know about MBS disease and the pathogen associated with MBS disease? How best can MBS disease be managed in small farming communities in Mexico? Through face-to-face interviews with growers and the corresponding analyses of their responses, we identified a widespread lack of knowledge about MBS disease, its causal agent and its vector(s). This study highlighted factors useful to guide future management decisions and education programs, as well as further research to transmit information about MBS disease among “subsistence farmers” in rural communities in Mexico.     

Behavioral intentions toward genetically modified crops in Southwest Iran: a multi-stakeholder analysis

This study examined the influencing factors of the self-reported behavioral intentions toward genetically modified (GM) crops using a multi-stakeholder approach in the Khuzestan Province in Southwest Iran. The study focused on three different groups, including: “agricultural students,” “agricultural private firms’ managers” and “rich-resource farmers.” Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and was analyzed by SPSS (V20) and AMOS (V20). Results indicated that the respondents perceive more benefits than risks for GM crops and that the perception of benefits and risks, respectively, had positive and negative impacts on the self-reported behavioral intention of the respondents. The knowledge of the respondents regarding these crops had positive impacts on perception of benefits. The results showed that both managers and students worried about the food safety and impact of GM crops on human health while farmers worried about the environmental risks of GM crops. The results also revealed that those who are the most conscious about GM crops are more trusted. The findings also showed that the majority of the respondents hold a positive view of the potential of GM crops.     

Usefulness and uses of climate forecasts for agricultural extension in South Carolina,USA

Farmers and extensionists can use forecasts about agro-climatic conditions to reduce risks of agricultural production. Eighteen extension agents, researchers, consultants, and farmers provided feedback about decision support tools that utilize such forecasts during focus groups that were conducted in Florence, South Carolina on January 14, 2011. Climate Risk and County Yield Database were the tools most selected as potentially useful for agricultural extension in South Carolina. An irrigation scheduler was the most frequently mentioned tool to be developed. Also, a survey of Clemson University’s extension personnel was conducted in January and February 2011 to assess interest of South Carolina’s growers and producers in using climate forecasts, eleven potential uses of climate forecasts by extension’s clientele, and potential usefulness to extensionists of twelve specific forecasts. Clemson’s extensionists represent approximately 97 % of the state’s agricultural extensionists. They are more likely than not to agree that growers and producers are interested in using climate forecasts. Most of the state’s extension personnel also think that farmers could use a climate forecast to improve irrigation management and planting schedules. A majority of the state’s extensionists thinks that a freeze alert could be useful to them and the proportion that thinks the forecast could be useful exceeds the proportion that thinks any other forecast could be useful. Most extensionists also think that a forecast of plant moisture stress could be useful to help farmers schedule irrigation. The key survey results are remarkably similar to those from surveys of extension personnel at North Carolina State University in early 2009 and University of Florida in late 2004.     

Contemporary migration intentions in the Maldives: the role of environmental and other factors

Migration is often mentioned as a major potential impact of climate change for small island states, especially low-lying atolls. Understanding future migration flows, including the potential role of environmental change, requires an interdisciplinary approach, focusing both on environmental and socio-economic factors. This paper presents a detailed analysis of contemporary migration decision-making processes in a small island nation—the Maldives—based on a survey conducted in 2015. The results challenge the view that climate change is influencing contemporary migration behaviour in the Maldives. The survey shows how attitudes influence intention to migrate both internally and internationally. Existing analysis of the national census shows a strong urbanisation trend, with significant net migration to the capital island Malé and its environs, dominating national migration flows. People consider perceived employment and educational opportunities, quality of health services, and expectations about general quality of life, happiness, and social environment. In addition, many Maldivians have a high intention to migrate internationally. Hence, the reduction of barriers to international migration by, for example, establishment of international migrant networks, or policies enabling migration from the Maldives, is likely to increase international migration. Maldivians widely express knowledge and concern about climate change and sea-level rise, recognising the high vulnerability of the island nation. However, such considerations are not presently important in their decisions about migration.     

重庆地票制度风险评估研究

地票制度风险评估能够有效规避、减小风险,保证地票制度安全运行。采用DSP制度风险研究技术体系识别并评价重庆地票制度风险影响因素,再采用综合评价模型对地票制度风险进行评估。结果表明:①地票制度风险因素有5个,分别为耕地保护风险、国家宏观调控的风险、房地产市场冲击风险、统筹城乡的风险和农民权益保护的风险;②地票制度风险准则层中5个风险的相对严重程度依次为农民权益保护的风险、耕地保护风险、国家宏观调控的风险、房地产市场冲击风险和统筹城乡风险,指标层中农村宅基地社会保障未充分考虑的风险、农民复垦的主体地位未得到充分体现的风险、耕地总量动态平衡的风险、地票落地区农民权益未得到充分保障的风险和国家计划指标的冲击风险这5个风险比较大;③地票制度系统风险值为0.38,系统风险较低,风险处于可控状态。     

Vietnam’s seafood boom: Economic growth with impoverishment?

By 2050 most seafood will be sourced through aquaculture, with a range of production intensities being required to sustain livelihoods and to meet future needs from seafood. This makes Vietnam a particularly insightful case, since Vietnam is at the forefront of the trend toward greater aquaculture production. Our aim in this paper is to examine the social-ecological sustainability of small producer livelihoods contributing to Vietnam’s seafood boom. This paper uses original survey data to understand the range of fishery-based livelihoods that have contributed to Vietnam being a leading global exporter of seafood. We investigate the kinds of fishery-based livelihood activities that households are engaged in, consider the type and amount (kilograms) of species caught or farmed annually, and examine household perceptions’ of change in species quantity. We find that Vietnam’s seafood sector is facing real sustainability challenges: Nearly 30 % of small producers—fishers and fish farmers—within our sample rest at or below Vietnam’s rural poverty line. Ecological decline and disease in farmed fish is perceived to be a serious issue for all fishers. In this context, policy and management interventions need to better reflect social and ecological variability, adopt an integrated coastal systems perspective across fisheries and aquaculture, and consider the most impact-effective poverty interventions.     

太湖流域1954~2006年气候变化及其演变趋势

用Mann Kendall统计检验方法对太湖流域6个气象站点1954~2006年降水、气温、相对湿度、日照时数的变化趋势和时空特征进行了分析,结果表明：50余年来太湖流域降水量呈较弱的增加趋势,冬季和夏季降水增加显著;空间变化趋势表现为北部地区降水量呈下降趋势,东南部地区呈上升趋势。年平均相对湿度表现为微弱的下降趋势,M K倾斜度值为 -099%/10 a;春、秋季相对湿度都显著减小,而夏季减小幅度较弱,冬季减小现象不显著。年平均气温呈现明显上升趋势,并表现出最低气温比最高气温增高趋势显著的特点,冬、春季增温显著;空间分布变化趋势为以平湖和溧阳为中心的两个地区上升趋势最小,以上海为中心地区上升幅度较大。年日照时数的下降趋势幅度较大,以溧阳为中心的西部地区最为明显,四个季节日照时数都呈减少的趋势;空间分布变化趋势表现为全流域呈减少趋势,由西向东减少幅度依次减小。气候变暖,降水将进一步增加,必然导致径流也呈增加趋势,在一定程度上加大了太湖流域洪涝灾害发生的可能性。分析成果有助于进一步研究气候变化对太湖流域水资源和防洪安全的影响,也将为太湖流域未来气候变化情景的构建提供科学依据。     

New climate change information modifies frames and decisions of decision makers: an exploratory study in forest planning

Information helps decision makers to address and to decide about environmental problems. In the context of climate change adaptation, often knowledge is missing on how the available information from impact models affects the decision-making process. The main aim of this study was to explore the extent of ambiguity and how new climate change information influenced decision of forest planners. We investigated changes in decisions of planners about forestry actions representing species choice and forest tourism and expiry dates of these actions leading to environmental constraints in the provision of ecosystem services. Forest planners evaluated expiry dates using four forest ecosystem services: forest production, stand yield class, sequestered carbon, and potential tourism. Data were collected during workshops with eleven forest planners from three forest districts in Scotland. Presented climate change information modified the understanding and frames of planners about forestry actions assessed with accompanying expiry dates. Changes in the frames of planners often result in both earlier and later expiry dates. Ambiguity of planners was found to be dependent on diversity in frames and difficulty in evaluating multiple ecosystem services. These findings imply that due to ambiguity forest planners might find it hard to choose climate change adaptation measures and researchers can struggle to convince planners with new research findings.     

江浙沪地区历史重大洪涝灾害情景下的人口和GDP物理暴露量分析

利用江浙沪地区1644～1949年洪涝灾害数据库,基于年受灾县次,对该地区历史重大洪涝灾害年进行了辨识,并以历史重大洪涝灾害为情景,对其重现于2010年的人口和GDP物理暴露量进行分析,得到以下结论：(1）按受灾县次划分,1644～1949年江浙沪地区重大洪涝灾害频率在50～100年一遇的为1670年、1683年、1804年;100～300年一遇的为1823年、1849年;300年一遇的为1931年;（2）重大洪涝灾害暴露区主要集中于长江三角洲地区;（3）6次重大洪涝灾害情景下,人口物理暴露量基本超过2010年该区人口总量的40%,而GDP物理暴露量则几乎超过了其总量的50%;（4）江苏受灾最为明显,上海受灾幅度波动最大,尤其是在100年一遇洪涝灾害前后受灾影响差距很大,浙江受灾影响相对稳定;（5）该区人口、GDP物理暴露量并不一定与受灾县次呈典型的正相关关系,可能与其人口、经济分布格局等因素有关