Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Climate change is already having adverse impacts on ecosystems and communities through higher temperatures, prolonged droughts and more frequent extremes. However, a gap remains between public understanding, scientific knowledge about climate change and effective adaptation options identification and implementation. Adaptation to the climate change cannot effectively occur unless the planning process adopts an ecosystem-based approach. The livelihoods of smallholder farmers/community depend on natural systems that extend beyond administrative boundaries. Therefore, to enhance the climate resilience of natural environment and to sustain ecosystem services needs to consider the environment at a larger ecosystem level in Adaptation for Smallholders in Hilly Areas (ASHA) Project. This poster highlights the novel approaches for covering natural boundary of climate change adaptation plan by adopting the enhanced approaches for climate change adaptation planning and implementation which integrates scientific information with local perceptions and also it contributes to fulfill the gaps. These approaches are Geographic Information System (GIS) based sub-watershed and Participatory Scenario Development (PSD). Since, GIS based sub watershed assessment is necessary in order to support for ecosystem level resilience building by addressing upstream and downstream linkages whereas PSD is necessary for envisioning future for balancing both development and ecosystem needs. Therefore, this assessment process provides communities with the opportunity to interactively explore different climate futures, builds capability and capacity for dealing with complex challenges and socializes adaptation priorities with diverse publics. Furthermore, it enhances learning effects for resilient climate futures.

Biography

Engila Mishra Maharjan has completed her Master of Science in Natural Resource Management from Pokhara University, Nepal and has completed her second master of Science in Sustainable Energy System and Management from Flensburg University. She has worked in the field of environment, energy and climate change more than 12 years in South East Asia region and has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

E-mail: engilam@gmail.com