Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture

We present a framework for prioritizing adaptation approaches at a range of timeframes. The framework is illustrated by four case studies from developing countries, each with associated characterization of uncertainty. Two cases on near-term adaptation planning in Sri Lanka and on stakeholder scenar...

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Main Authors: Vermeulen, Sonja J., Challinor, Andrew J., Thornton, Philip K., Campbell, Bruce M., Eriyagama, Nishadi, Vervoort, Joost M., Kinyangi, James, Jarvis, Andy, Läderach, Peter R.D., Ramírez Villegas, Julián Armando, Nicklin, K.J., Hawkins, E., Smith, D.R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: National Academy of Sciences 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33287
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author Vermeulen, Sonja J.
Challinor, Andrew J.
Thornton, Philip K.
Campbell, Bruce M.
Eriyagama, Nishadi
Vervoort, Joost M.
Kinyangi, James
Jarvis, Andy
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Ramírez Villegas, Julián Armando
Nicklin, K.J.
Hawkins, E.
Smith, D.R.
author_browse Campbell, Bruce M.
Challinor, Andrew J.
Eriyagama, Nishadi
Hawkins, E.
Jarvis, Andy
Kinyangi, James
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Nicklin, K.J.
Ramírez Villegas, Julián Armando
Smith, D.R.
Thornton, Philip K.
Vermeulen, Sonja J.
Vervoort, Joost M.
author_facet Vermeulen, Sonja J.
Challinor, Andrew J.
Thornton, Philip K.
Campbell, Bruce M.
Eriyagama, Nishadi
Vervoort, Joost M.
Kinyangi, James
Jarvis, Andy
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Ramírez Villegas, Julián Armando
Nicklin, K.J.
Hawkins, E.
Smith, D.R.
author_sort Vermeulen, Sonja J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description We present a framework for prioritizing adaptation approaches at a range of timeframes. The framework is illustrated by four case studies from developing countries, each with associated characterization of uncertainty. Two cases on near-term adaptation planning in Sri Lanka and on stakeholder scenario exercises in East Africa show how the relative utility of capacity vs. impact approaches to adaptation planning differ with level of uncertainty and associated lead time. An additional two cases demonstrate that it is possible to identify uncertainties that are relevant to decision making in specific timeframes and circumstances. The case on coffee in Latin America identifies altitudinal thresholds at which incremental vs. transformative adaptation pathways are robust options. The final case uses three crop–climate simulation studies to demonstrate how uncertainty can be characterized at different time horizons to discriminate where robust adaptation options are possible. We find that impact approaches, which use predictive models, are increasingly useful over longer lead times and at higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions. We also find that extreme events are important in determining predictability across a broad range of timescales. The results demonstrate the potential for robust knowledge and actions in the face of uncertainty.
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spelling CGSpace332872025-03-11T09:50:20Z Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture Vermeulen, Sonja J. Challinor, Andrew J. Thornton, Philip K. Campbell, Bruce M. Eriyagama, Nishadi Vervoort, Joost M. Kinyangi, James Jarvis, Andy Läderach, Peter R.D. Ramírez Villegas, Julián Armando Nicklin, K.J. Hawkins, E. Smith, D.R. agriculture climate change We present a framework for prioritizing adaptation approaches at a range of timeframes. The framework is illustrated by four case studies from developing countries, each with associated characterization of uncertainty. Two cases on near-term adaptation planning in Sri Lanka and on stakeholder scenario exercises in East Africa show how the relative utility of capacity vs. impact approaches to adaptation planning differ with level of uncertainty and associated lead time. An additional two cases demonstrate that it is possible to identify uncertainties that are relevant to decision making in specific timeframes and circumstances. The case on coffee in Latin America identifies altitudinal thresholds at which incremental vs. transformative adaptation pathways are robust options. The final case uses three crop–climate simulation studies to demonstrate how uncertainty can be characterized at different time horizons to discriminate where robust adaptation options are possible. We find that impact approaches, which use predictive models, are increasingly useful over longer lead times and at higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions. We also find that extreme events are important in determining predictability across a broad range of timescales. The results demonstrate the potential for robust knowledge and actions in the face of uncertainty. 2013-05-21 2013-07-08T08:09:55Z 2013-07-08T08:09:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33287 en Open Access National Academy of Sciences Vermeulen, S.J., Challinor, A.J., Thornton, P.K., Campbell, B.M., Eriyagama, N., Vervoort, J.M., Kinyangi, J., Jarvis, A., Läderach, P., Ramirez-Villegas, J., Nicklin, K.J., Hawkins, E. and Smith, D.R. 2013. Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture. PNAS 110(21): 8357 - 8362
spellingShingle agriculture
climate change
Vermeulen, Sonja J.
Challinor, Andrew J.
Thornton, Philip K.
Campbell, Bruce M.
Eriyagama, Nishadi
Vervoort, Joost M.
Kinyangi, James
Jarvis, Andy
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Ramírez Villegas, Julián Armando
Nicklin, K.J.
Hawkins, E.
Smith, D.R.
Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
title Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
title_full Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
title_fullStr Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
title_full_unstemmed Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
title_short Addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
title_sort addressing uncertainty in adaptation planning for agriculture
topic agriculture
climate change
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33287
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