Integrated Assessment of Drought Impacts on Rural Areas: The Case of the Chapada Diamantina Region in Brazil

Rodrigo Rudge Ramos Ribeiro,Juliana Fionda Campos,Miguel Angel Trejo-Rangel,Samia Nascimento Sulaiman,Stefan Sieber

doi:10.3390/geohazards2040025

Abstract

Drought is one of the most significant hazards that farmers face in rural areas. This study aims to examine an integrated assessment of the drought impacts in rural territories, considering the social perceptions related to the effects of natural hazards on health, social relations, income, and other impacts. The study area is located in the rural area of the Chapada Diamantina region in Northern Brazil. The characterization of the region was carried out based on historical meteorological and agricultural productivity data. The method used in this study was based on a survey of social perceptions regarding drought impacts by small rural producers through a participatory process. The results indicated how extreme events such as drought influence rural areas. In addition to agricultural productivity (~50%), aspects such as social migration and health problems were observed.

Highlights

Climate extremes have massive impacts on society and are becoming more severe and frequent [1,2]
Several studies have indicated that climate extremes such as drought are likely to increase in the future, which poses a greater threat to those in rural areas [4]
One of the most prominent challenges crops face related to climate is drought, identified as the main natural hazard recognized by farmers in the Chapada Diamantina region, where this research was conducted [8]

Summary

Introduction

Climate extremes have massive impacts on society and are becoming more severe and frequent [1,2]. Droughts are among the most severe hazards for rural areas, and their cascading impacts affect, among other things, agricultural harvest production and water availability [3]. These direct impacts of changing weather can affect human health through exposure of the agricultural workforce to hazards. Climate change can exacerbate land degradation processes, including increases in drought frequency and severity [5]. Increases in the frequency of droughts are projected to negatively affect local crop production, especially in subsistence sectors at low latitudes [6]. One of the most prominent challenges crops face related to climate is drought, identified as the main natural hazard recognized by farmers in the Chapada Diamantina region, where this research was conducted [8]

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion