Impacts of Climatic Variability on Terrestrial Ecosystems and Resources

A special issue of Resources (ISSN 2079-9276).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2019) | Viewed by 11523

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Center for Development Reserach (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany
Interests: economics of land degradation; desertification; climate change impacts and adaptation; bioeconomy; decentralized energy; water–energy–food security nexus

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleageus,

Increasing climatic variability under climate change will affect the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems in numerous ways, with significant socio-economic impacts. This Special Issue seeks to explore the effects of climatic variability on land ecosystem services and their implications for societies and people. The Special Issue particularly focuses on themes such as interactions between climatic variability and soil/land degradation, joint impacts of climatic variability and land degradation on crop and livestock productivity, non-provisioning ecosystem services, particularly carbon sequestration, the implications of these interactions for poverty, food security and the livelihoods of smallholder agricultural and pastoral producers, especially in the developing countries. Articles exploring the role of adaptation measures against increasing climatic variability based on sustainable land management are also highly encouraged for submission to this Special Issue.

Dr. Alisher Mirzabaev
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Climatic variability
  • Land and soil degradation
  • Sustainable land management
  • Socio-economic consequences
  • Poverty
  • Food security
  • Crop and livestock production
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Rangelands
  • Forests
  • Pastoral communities
  • Acess to land resources

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3781 KiB  
Article
Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
by Shankar Adhikari, Himlal Baral, Vishwas Sudhir Chitale and Craig R. Nitschke
Resources 2019, 8(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8010004 - 29 Dec 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5450
Abstract
Ecosystem services (ES) are increasingly recognized as a means to facilitate adaption to environmental change. However, the provisions of ES are likely to be impacted by changes in climate and/or changes in land use. In developing countries, where people are typically dependent on [...] Read more.
Ecosystem services (ES) are increasingly recognized as a means to facilitate adaption to environmental change. However, the provisions of ES are likely to be impacted by changes in climate and/or changes in land use. In developing countries, where people are typically dependent on these services for their livelihoods, these impacts are of concern; however, very little is known about the changes in provisioning of ES over time. In this study, we assess the perceived changes on ES in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region of western Nepal. The study area accommodates three distinct ecoregions, ranging from lowland to upland ecosystems and communities. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect information on how ES may have changed in the landscape over time. This approach was supported by transect walks, field observations, and secondary sources of information, such as climatic and remote sensing data. Perceived changes on ES in the study region include reduced availability of water, reduced food production, degradation of forest ecosystems, and changes in species compositions. These changes are thought to have impacted other ES, and, in turn, local livelihoods. Management actions that can help local communities foster ES are recommended. Full article
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12 pages, 1976 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Distribution of Major Non-Timber Forest Plants in Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal
by Vishwas Chitale, Ramesh Silwal and Mir Matin
Resources 2018, 7(4), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources7040066 - 23 Oct 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5569
Abstract
For many decades, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been an important livelihood commodity in Nepal as a traditional source of food, fiber, and medicines. However, the importance of NTFPs have been recognized only recently. NTFPs form more than 5% of Nepal’s national gross [...] Read more.
For many decades, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been an important livelihood commodity in Nepal as a traditional source of food, fiber, and medicines. However, the importance of NTFPs have been recognized only recently. NTFPs form more than 5% of Nepal’s national gross domestic product and are facing threat due to anthropogenic drivers and changing climate. Understanding of the current distribution and future dynamics of NTFPs is essential for effective conservation planning and management. In the maiden attempt, we used the Maxent model to understand the current and predict the future distribution by 2050 of 10 major NTFPs in Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal. The prediction accuracy of the models calculated based on the area under curve was high (>90%) and the prediction by 2050 highlights potential increase in distribution range of seven NTFPs and potential decrease in that of three NTFPs in the study area. The results from our study could play an important role in planning and management of these NTFPs considering their high economic and ecological significance and sensitivity to predicted climate change. Full article
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