Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal
Mountain ecosystems are increasingly being affected by global environmental change, challenging the ubiquitous agro-ecosystem-based livelihoods of the people. This article uses participatory research methods to document and analyse (1) local and regional impacts of climate change on ecosystem servic...
| Autores principales: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
Informa UK Limited
2015
|
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/94484 |
| _version_ | 1855541116121645056 |
|---|---|
| author | Bhatta, L.D. Oort, Pepijn A.J. van Stork, N.E. Baral, H. |
| author_browse | Baral, H. Bhatta, L.D. Oort, Pepijn A.J. van Stork, N.E. |
| author_facet | Bhatta, L.D. Oort, Pepijn A.J. van Stork, N.E. Baral, H. |
| author_sort | Bhatta, L.D. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Mountain ecosystems are increasingly being affected by global environmental change, challenging the ubiquitous agro-ecosystem-based livelihoods of the people. This article uses participatory research methods to document and analyse (1) local and regional impacts of climate change on ecosystem services (ES) and livelihoods, and (2) the main current adaptation strategies of local peoples in the mountains of central Nepal. Major observed impacts include reduced precipitation and an irregular rainfall pattern, affecting paddy cultivation and winter crop production. Production is also affected by increased pest and pathogen prevalence. Other impacts include increased livestock disease and reduced forest regeneration. Our results confirm earlier findings of a decrease in the district’s forest cover in past; however, substantial efforts in forest conservation and management at the local level have gradually increased forest cover in recent years. Despite the increased potential for forest ecosystem services, the availability of forest goods, in particular fuel wood, fodder and litter, have decreased because of a strict regulation on forest goods extraction. Additionally, new invasive species are colonising these forests, preventing regeneration of preferred and local forest vegetation in some areas and, as a result, the densities of tree crops are changing. Most users cope with these changes by short term, reactive solutions. However, a number of local adaptation strategies, such as changing both agricultural practices and water harvesting and management, are increasing efficiency in resource use. To increase the adaptive capacity of poor households, we suggest it is essential to incorporate climate change adaptations within the local planning process. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace94484 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Informa UK Limited |
| publisherStr | Informa UK Limited |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace944842025-06-17T08:24:21Z Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal Bhatta, L.D. Oort, Pepijn A.J. van Stork, N.E. Baral, H. climate change adaptation vulnerability livelihoods cropping systems Mountain ecosystems are increasingly being affected by global environmental change, challenging the ubiquitous agro-ecosystem-based livelihoods of the people. This article uses participatory research methods to document and analyse (1) local and regional impacts of climate change on ecosystem services (ES) and livelihoods, and (2) the main current adaptation strategies of local peoples in the mountains of central Nepal. Major observed impacts include reduced precipitation and an irregular rainfall pattern, affecting paddy cultivation and winter crop production. Production is also affected by increased pest and pathogen prevalence. Other impacts include increased livestock disease and reduced forest regeneration. Our results confirm earlier findings of a decrease in the district’s forest cover in past; however, substantial efforts in forest conservation and management at the local level have gradually increased forest cover in recent years. Despite the increased potential for forest ecosystem services, the availability of forest goods, in particular fuel wood, fodder and litter, have decreased because of a strict regulation on forest goods extraction. Additionally, new invasive species are colonising these forests, preventing regeneration of preferred and local forest vegetation in some areas and, as a result, the densities of tree crops are changing. Most users cope with these changes by short term, reactive solutions. However, a number of local adaptation strategies, such as changing both agricultural practices and water harvesting and management, are increasing efficiency in resource use. To increase the adaptive capacity of poor households, we suggest it is essential to incorporate climate change adaptations within the local planning process. 2015-04-03 2018-07-03T11:01:15Z 2018-07-03T11:01:15Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/94484 en Open Access Informa UK Limited Bhatta, L.D., Van Oort, B., Stork, N. E., Baral, H.. 2015. Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate : Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management, 11 (2) : 145-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2015.1027793 |
| spellingShingle | climate change adaptation vulnerability livelihoods cropping systems Bhatta, L.D. Oort, Pepijn A.J. van Stork, N.E. Baral, H. Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal |
| title | Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal |
| title_full | Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal |
| title_short | Ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate: Understanding local adaptations in the Upper Koshi, Nepal |
| title_sort | ecosystem services and livelihoods in a changing climate understanding local adaptations in the upper koshi nepal |
| topic | climate change adaptation vulnerability livelihoods cropping systems |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/94484 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bhattald ecosystemservicesandlivelihoodsinachangingclimateunderstandinglocaladaptationsintheupperkoshinepal AT oortpepijnajvan ecosystemservicesandlivelihoodsinachangingclimateunderstandinglocaladaptationsintheupperkoshinepal AT storkne ecosystemservicesandlivelihoodsinachangingclimateunderstandinglocaladaptationsintheupperkoshinepal AT baralh ecosystemservicesandlivelihoodsinachangingclimateunderstandinglocaladaptationsintheupperkoshinepal |