Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view

This study examines the perceptions of 500 Sri Lankan fishers about influences on the outcome of the 2004 Asian tsunami. It is based upon analysis of questionnaire data on 13 natural environmental and development risk factors, in relation to human deaths and house damage (impact indicators). Mangrov...

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Autores principales: Venkatachalam, A.J., Price, A.R.G., Chandrasekara, S., Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2009
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40676
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author Venkatachalam, A.J.
Price, A.R.G.
Chandrasekara, S.
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali
author_browse Chandrasekara, S.
Price, A.R.G.
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali
Venkatachalam, A.J.
author_facet Venkatachalam, A.J.
Price, A.R.G.
Chandrasekara, S.
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali
author_sort Venkatachalam, A.J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This study examines the perceptions of 500 Sri Lankan fishers about influences on the outcome of the 2004 Asian tsunami. It is based upon analysis of questionnaire data on 13 natural environmental and development risk factors, in relation to human deaths and house damage (impact indicators). Mangroves, coral reefs and sand dunes afforded protection against tsunami damage (67-94% of fisher responses), as did housing and roads. Fishers overall believed rivers/estuaries, concave coastlines and hotels exacerbated impacts. However, a significantly greater proportion of fishers living within 100m of the coast reported that rivers/estuaries had a protective role than those living further inland. Rivers seemingly diverted 'tsunami water' far inland, where it overflowed and caused damage. Risk and damage are multi-faceted concepts and measurable in different ways. Findings are considered in the light of ecological studies and modelling, with special reference to mangroves, whose alleged protective role has become equivocal during post-tsunami research. Insights of fishers and other communities with intuitive knowledge add a valuable perspective to the understanding of natural disasters and environmental change. This approach is seen as complementary rather than an alternative approach to purely 'scientific' research.
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spelling CGSpace406762025-06-17T08:23:35Z Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view Venkatachalam, A.J. Price, A.R.G. Chandrasekara, S. Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali tsunamis natural disasters risks fishermen This study examines the perceptions of 500 Sri Lankan fishers about influences on the outcome of the 2004 Asian tsunami. It is based upon analysis of questionnaire data on 13 natural environmental and development risk factors, in relation to human deaths and house damage (impact indicators). Mangroves, coral reefs and sand dunes afforded protection against tsunami damage (67-94% of fisher responses), as did housing and roads. Fishers overall believed rivers/estuaries, concave coastlines and hotels exacerbated impacts. However, a significantly greater proportion of fishers living within 100m of the coast reported that rivers/estuaries had a protective role than those living further inland. Rivers seemingly diverted 'tsunami water' far inland, where it overflowed and caused damage. Risk and damage are multi-faceted concepts and measurable in different ways. Findings are considered in the light of ecological studies and modelling, with special reference to mangroves, whose alleged protective role has become equivocal during post-tsunami research. Insights of fishers and other communities with intuitive knowledge add a valuable perspective to the understanding of natural disasters and environmental change. This approach is seen as complementary rather than an alternative approach to purely 'scientific' research. 2009-01 2014-06-13T14:48:10Z 2014-06-13T14:48:10Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40676 en Open Access Wiley Venkatachalam, A. J.; Price, A. R. G.; Chandrasekara, S.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali. 2009. Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers?-eye view. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 19:57-66. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.996
spellingShingle tsunamis
natural disasters
risks
fishermen
Venkatachalam, A.J.
Price, A.R.G.
Chandrasekara, S.
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali
Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view
title Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view
title_full Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view
title_fullStr Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view
title_full_unstemmed Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view
title_short Risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami (2004) impacts in Sri Lanka: the fishers'-eye view
title_sort risk factors in relation to human deaths and other tsunami 2004 impacts in sri lanka the fishers eye view
topic tsunamis
natural disasters
risks
fishermen
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/40676
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