An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica

The Mesoamerican region is considered to be one of the areas in the world most vulnerable to climate change. We developed a framework for quantifying the vulnerability of the livelihoods of coffee growers in Mesoamerica at regional and local levels and identify adaptation strategies. Following the I...

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Main Authors: Baca, María, Läderach, Peter R.D., Haggar, Jeremy P., Götz, Schroth, Ovalle Rivera, Oriana
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Public Library of Science 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42283
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author Baca, María
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Haggar, Jeremy P.
Götz, Schroth
Ovalle Rivera, Oriana
author_browse Baca, María
Götz, Schroth
Haggar, Jeremy P.
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Ovalle Rivera, Oriana
author_facet Baca, María
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Haggar, Jeremy P.
Götz, Schroth
Ovalle Rivera, Oriana
author_sort Baca, María
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The Mesoamerican region is considered to be one of the areas in the world most vulnerable to climate change. We developed a framework for quantifying the vulnerability of the livelihoods of coffee growers in Mesoamerica at regional and local levels and identify adaptation strategies. Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concepts, vulnerability was defined as the combination of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. To quantify exposure, changes in the climatic suitability for coffee and other crops were predicted through niche modelling based on historical climate data and locations of coffee growing areas from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Future climate projections were generated from 19 Global Circulation Models. Focus groups were used to identify nine indicators of sensitivity and eleven indicators of adaptive capacity, which were evaluated through semi-structured interviews with 558 coffee producers. Exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity were then condensed into an index of vulnerability, and adaptation strategies were identified in participatory workshops. Models predict that all target countries will experience a decrease in climatic suitability for growing Arabica coffee, with highest suitability loss for El Salvador and lowest loss for Mexico. High vulnerability resulted from loss in climatic suitability for coffee production and high sensitivity through variability of yields and out-migration of the work force. This was combined with low adaptation capacity as evidenced by poor post harvest infrastructure and in some cases poor access to credit and low levels of social organization. Nevertheless, the specific contributors to vulnerability varied strongly among countries, municipalities and families making general trends difficult to identify. Flexible strategies for adaption are therefore needed. Families need the support of government and institutions specialized in impacts of climate change and strengthening of farmer organizations to enable the adjustment of adaptation strategies to local needs and conditions.
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spelling CGSpace422832025-03-13T09:45:04Z An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica Baca, María Läderach, Peter R.D. Haggar, Jeremy P. Götz, Schroth Ovalle Rivera, Oriana climate change smallholders farmers adaptation adaptación families coffee industry cambio climático agricultores familia industria cafetera The Mesoamerican region is considered to be one of the areas in the world most vulnerable to climate change. We developed a framework for quantifying the vulnerability of the livelihoods of coffee growers in Mesoamerica at regional and local levels and identify adaptation strategies. Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concepts, vulnerability was defined as the combination of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. To quantify exposure, changes in the climatic suitability for coffee and other crops were predicted through niche modelling based on historical climate data and locations of coffee growing areas from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Future climate projections were generated from 19 Global Circulation Models. Focus groups were used to identify nine indicators of sensitivity and eleven indicators of adaptive capacity, which were evaluated through semi-structured interviews with 558 coffee producers. Exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity were then condensed into an index of vulnerability, and adaptation strategies were identified in participatory workshops. Models predict that all target countries will experience a decrease in climatic suitability for growing Arabica coffee, with highest suitability loss for El Salvador and lowest loss for Mexico. High vulnerability resulted from loss in climatic suitability for coffee production and high sensitivity through variability of yields and out-migration of the work force. This was combined with low adaptation capacity as evidenced by poor post harvest infrastructure and in some cases poor access to credit and low levels of social organization. Nevertheless, the specific contributors to vulnerability varied strongly among countries, municipalities and families making general trends difficult to identify. Flexible strategies for adaption are therefore needed. Families need the support of government and institutions specialized in impacts of climate change and strengthening of farmer organizations to enable the adjustment of adaptation strategies to local needs and conditions. 2014-02-26 2014-09-09T17:56:12Z 2014-09-09T17:56:12Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42283 en Open Access Public Library of Science Baca, María; Läderach, Peter; Haggar, Jeremy; Götz, Schroth; Ovalle, Oriana. 2014. An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica. PLoS One. 9(2):e88463.
spellingShingle climate change
smallholders
farmers
adaptation
adaptación
families
coffee industry
cambio climático
agricultores
familia
industria cafetera
Baca, María
Läderach, Peter R.D.
Haggar, Jeremy P.
Götz, Schroth
Ovalle Rivera, Oriana
An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica
title An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica
title_full An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica
title_fullStr An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica
title_full_unstemmed An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica
title_short An integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in Mesoamerica
title_sort integrated framework for assessing vulnerability to climate change and developing adaptation strategies for coffee growing families in mesoamerica
topic climate change
smallholders
farmers
adaptation
adaptación
families
coffee industry
cambio climático
agricultores
familia
industria cafetera
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42283
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