Current Science

Tashina Esteves ¹, Darshini Ravindranath ², Satyasiba Beddamatta ³, K. V. Raju ³, Jagmohan Sharma ¹, G. Bala ⁴, Indu K. Murthy ¹

Affiliations
1 Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, IN
2 University College London, GB
3 Institute for Social and Economic Change, Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru 560 072, IN
4 Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Interdisciplinary, Centre for Water Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, IN

Abstract

Vulnerability of communities and natural ecosystems, to potential impacts of climate change in developing countries like India, and the need for adaptation are rapidly emerging as central issues in the debate around policy responses to climate change. The present study presents an approach to identify and prioritize the most vulnerable districts, villages and households in Karnataka State, through a multi-scale assessment of inherent vulnerability to current climate variability. It also identifies the drivers of inherent vulnerability, thereby providing a tool for developing and mainstreaming adaptation strategies, in ongoing developmental or dedicated adaptation programmes. The multi-scale assessment was made for all 30 districts at the state level in Karnataka, about 1220 villages in Chikballapur district, and at the household level for two villages - Gundlapalli and Saddapalli - in Bagepalli taluk of Chikballapur district. At the district, village and household levels, low levels of education and skills are the dominant factors contributing to vulnerability. At the village and household level, the lack of income diversification and livelihood support institutions are key drivers of vulnerability. The approach of multi-scale vulnerability assessment facilitates identification and prioritization of the drivers of vulnerability at different scales, to focus adaptation interventions to address these drivers.

Keywords

Adaptation, Climate Variability, Coping Strategies, Inherent Vulnerability, Multi-Scale Assessment.

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Amrita N. Chaurasia ¹, Reshma M. Parmar ¹, Maulik G. Dave ¹, Nirav Mehta ¹, Rajesh Kallaje ², Aradhana Sahu ³, Indu K. Murthy ⁴, C. P. Singh ⁵, N. S. R. Krishnayya ¹

Affiliations
1 Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390 002, IN
2 Aranya Bhavan, Naya Raipur 492 001, IN
3 Kothi Building, Vadodara 390 001, IN
4 Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, IN
5 EPSA Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad 380 015, IN

Abstract

Variability in the leaf phenology of tropical trees impacts their growth. How phenology of tree species responds over rainfall gradient is relevant to study in the light of current climatic changes. Airborne visible and infrared imaging spectrometer-next generation (AVIRIS-NG) spectral datasets have been considered for this study as they not only provide wider area of coverage, but also high spatial and spectrally resolved output. Canopy-level spectra of 16 common species of four different forest covers in India were synced with observed phenology phase and the annual rainfall in each forest cover was recorded. Reflectance spectra of the same species in the four forest covers distinctively differed over rainfall gradient, indicating intra-species pliability. Consistent lower reflectance/higher absorp-tion at chlorophyll bands of all the common deciduous species in the higher annual rainfall region over that with relatively lower rainfall indicated that deciduous species acclimate green foliage phase of the phenology cycle. Boxplots of reflectance values of chlorophyll absorption band of 16 species showed a decrease in the variability of the datasets over the four forest co-vers, revealing that increasing rainfall provides better synchrony in the phenology phase of the observed tree species. The study highlights the importance of AVIRIS-NG spectral datasets in monitoring different phases of forest phenology associated with growth potential dynamics effectively under changing rainfall pattern.

Keywords

Absorption Band, Canopy-level Spectra, Forest Cover, Phenology Phase, Rainfall Gradient, Tree Species.

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