Adaptive Capacity Scores Research Articles

Assessing heatwave resilience in municipalities around Lake Balaton: A comparative analysis

Changing climate patterns represent a major challenge for Hungarian municipalities, particularly with regard to the increasing severity and frequency of heatwaves. As a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, thousands of people moved to communities around Lake Balaton; therefore, cities and villages should place more emphasis on their long-term sustainability and climate resilience. This article addresses the literature gap in assessing the heatwave resilience of Hungarian settlements, focusing on the municipalities of the Lake Balaton Resort Area. Our main objective was to uncover spatial and temporal patterns in the 180 settlements involved in the analysis by using an indicator-based comparative method. The set of indicators included nine sensitivity and six adaptive capacity measures referring to the base years 2015 and 2022. Our results show heterogeneous spatial patterns across the analysed categories; however, several regional clusters can be identified: 1) in general, settlements from the northern part of the study area had above-average adaptive capacity, while the southern and south-western municipalities had significantly lower values, 2) only one micro-regional cluster can be defined in terms of sensitivity values in the northern part of the study area; 3) below average resilience values were found in the south-western and southern areas; 4) finally, neither sensitivity nor adaptive capacity nor overall resilience scores had changed significantly over time at the regional level. The applied methodology can easily be adopted in other Hungarian or even Central and Eastern European cities; consequently, new results can contribute to a better understanding of inter- and intra-regional patterns of heatwave resilience at the local level.

Exploring Climate-Induced Agricultural Risk in Saudi Arabia: Evidence from Farming Communities of Medina Region

Agriculture is vital to the Saudi Arabian economy since it provides food and other necessities to people living in rural areas, as well as those living in adjacent cities. Notwithstanding its considerable economic importance, the agricultural sector is confronted with formidable obstacles due to climate change, such as elevated temperatures, floods, extreme droughts, and decreased agricultural yields. Building a farming system capable of being climate resilient requires the comprehension of the vulnerabilities of farm households and related systems. This paper deals with the potential agricultural risks resulting from climate change in Saudi Arabia. In addition to concentrating on precipitation and temperature, the present research incorporates the three main components of the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI): sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capability. The results of this research reveal a notable challenge that farmers in Saudi Arabia encounter, as they are very susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) has a score of 0.730, signifying a substantial degree of vulnerability. The farmers in this region are very susceptible to uncertainties caused by climate change, as indicated by the significant exposure score of 0.725. This exposure comprises a wide range of concerns resulting from fluctuations in temperature, patterns of rainfall, and occurrences of severe weather, all of which have an immediate and negative effect on agriculture. Farmers in that region are more susceptible to the effects of climate change, which could jeopardize their livelihoods and agricultural operations, as shown by the susceptibility component (SVI) of 0.559. Moreover, the adaptive capacity (AVI) score of 0.567 highlights the fact that farmers have limited access to resources, skills, and experience, hindering their ability to tackle the challenges that have been caused by climate change in this region successfully. The results emphasize the immediate necessity for specific policies and assistance to enhance the resilience of agricultural communities in the area, as well as to mitigate the potential adverse effects of climate change on their livelihoods.

The vulnerability of World Heritage seagrass habitats to climate change.

Seagrass is an important natural attribute of 28 World Heritage (WH) properties. These WH seagrass habitats provide a wide range of services to adjacent ecosystems and human communities, and are one of the largest natural carbon sinks on the planet. Climate change is considered the greatest and fastest-growing threat to natural WH properties and evidence of climate-related impacts on seagrass habitats has been growing. The main objective of this study was to assess the vulnerability of WH seagrass habitats to location-specific key climate stressors. Quantitative surveys of seagrass experts and site managers were used to assess exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of WH seagrass habitats to climate stressors, following the Climate Vulnerability Index approach. Over half of WH seagrass habitats have high vulnerability to climate change, mainly from the long-term increase in sea-surface temperature and short-term marine heatwaves. Potential impacts from climate change and certainty scores associated with them were higher than reported by a similar survey-based study from 10 years prior, indicating a shift in stakeholder perspectives during the past decade. Additionally, seagrass experts' opinions on the cumulative impacts of climate and direct-anthropogenic stressors revealed that high temperature in combination with high suspended sediments, eutrophication and hypoxia is likely to provoke a synergistic cumulative (negative) impact (p < .05). A key component contributing to the high vulnerability assessments was the low adaptive capacity; however, discrepancies between adaptive capacity scores and qualitative responses suggest that managers of WH seagrass habitats might not be adequately equipped to respond to climate change impacts. This thematic assessment provides valuable information to help prioritize conservation actions, monitoring activities and research in WH seagrass habitats. It also demonstrates the utility of a systematic framework to evaluate the vulnerability of thematic groups of protected areas that share a specific attribute.

A comparison of performance measures of two livelihood vulnerability indices in the context of recurrent tropical flood hazards

Natural hazards often pose a considerable amount of social vulnerability which is the function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptation. Livelihood vulnerability assessment (LVA) benefits site-specific resilience building and disaster management. There are two popular indices of LVA – (1) the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) and another method by (2) Hahn et al. (2009). The study intends to reveal the index that is more suitable to address the flood-induced livelihood vulnerability of the rural communities of the Mayurakshi river basin, India. To this end, the nature of exposure, adaptive capacity and sensitivity involving 35 parameters are measured mainly based on the primary data collected from a questionnaire survey executed over 2382 households spreading over 43 villages from five community development (C.D.) blocks. Moreover, the annual flood reports, district census reports, topographical maps, and satellite images are used as secondary data. The result shows that as per Hahn et al.’s LVI, Khargram (LVI- 0.41) is the most vulnerable block while Nabagram (LVI- 0.35) is the least vulnerable block. However, according to IPCC-LVI, Bharatpur-I has the highest LVI (0.02) and Burwan has the lowest LVI (-0.09). It is observed that exposure exhibits a strong positive correlation with IPCC-LVI and adaptive capacity also maintains a similar correlation with Hahn et al.’s LVI. Interestingly, Kandi is the most exposed block (score: 0.59) with a high adaptive capacity (score: 0.47) resulting in its exclusion from the high LVI category of both methods. This comparative performance assessment underscores the significance of the work before the decision-makers in preparing microscale disaster management plans.

Climate change adaptation and adaptive capacities of dairy farmers: Evidence from village tank cascade systems in Sri Lanka

CONTEXTDairy farmers are affected by climate change (CC). To reduce the negative effects of CC, farmers need to take numerous adaptive measures. The ability to adapt is context-specific and there is a dearth of research on the adaptation and adaptive capacity (AC) of dairy farmers in village tank cascade systems (VTCS). OBJECTIVEThe study investigates dairy farmers' perception of CC, their AC, adaptation, and the social and institutional drivers of AC and adaptation in the two selected VTCS in Sri Lanka. The knowledge of this is vital in planning specific interventions to enhance the climate resilience of farmers. METHODSThe level of CC adaptation and AC was measured using the Activity-based Adaptation Index and Adaptive Capacity Index. Using an ordered logistic regression model, the determinants of the CC adaptation were examined. Social dimensions of AC are studied by comparing AC scores across social groups differentiated by income and gender. Data were collected from 200 dairy farmers in two VTCS in the Anuradhapura District, North Central Province of Sri Lanka, where dairy farming is predominantly practiced. Pre-tested structured questionnaires were used for data collection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONPasture shortage, reduction in milk yield, and growth retardation of animals are reported as perceived CC effects by a majority of dairy farmers. The adaptation strategies mostly implemented by dairy farmers are aimed at reducing the effects of CC on animal physiology. A lesser number of farmers implement adaptation strategies that address pasture shortages. Farmer's perception of CC, socioeconomic characteristics and resource endowment determine the level of adaptation, while the AC moderates the relationship between perception and response to CC. The institutional and social context in which dairy farmers operate differentiates the AC of farmers. Women and poorer farmers tend to have a lower AC. The difference in AC across these social groups is explained by access to resources. The study recommends interventions to address social gaps in AC and highlights the importance of strengthening and expanding extension services and rural credit facilities. SIGNIFICANCEGlobally, fewer studies have been conducted on the impacts of climate-related risks on dairy farming systems and adaptation in comparison with such risks and adaptation in crop farming. This study provides insights into resource-poor dairy farmers' responses to CC and potential solutions in using common resources in VTCS to reduce vulnerability to CC.

How vulnerable are Wular Lake fishing communities compared to non‐fishing communities in rural Kashmir? Insights and interventions for development

AbstractWular Lake, one of the largest wetlands in Asia (13,000 ha in Kashmir Valley) is a biodiversity‐rich Ramsar site supporting nearly 32,000 rural people involved in harvesting fish, water chestnuts, lotus stems and fodder. With 2914 active fishers, Wular Lake contributes 54% of Kashmir's total fish catch. Large‐scale land‐use changes and global warming have resulted in siltation, reduced lake area and alterations in the water flow regime, threatening lake ecology and human livelihoods. A novel census‐based multi‐criteria Socio‐Economic Vulnerability Index (SEVI) was used to assess the vulnerability status of 23 fishing and 115 non‐fishing adjacent villages. All the fishing villages exhibited ‘low’ (0.21–0.40) vulnerability levels, except Kunas village (0.42). Interestingly, no significant differences could be found in vulnerability levels between fishing (23) and non‐fishing (115) villages, although the former exhibited relatively higher social sensitivity. A graphical decision matrix based on sensitivity and adaptive capacity scores provided a snapshot of vulnerability status for each village. Using SEVI scores, drivers (i.e., key indicators responsible for high sensitivity &amp; low adaptive capacity) were identified and corresponding village‐specific development interventions are suggested with Kunas as an illustrative case village. Improving education levels, strengthening community and rural infrastructure, and expanding livelihood options were key short‐term strategies for improving resilience in Kashmir's Wular region.

A comparative study of farming and fishing households’ livelihood vulnerability in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Multiple stressors such as climate shocks, environmental degradation and resource conflicts may pose a great challenge for African communities struggling to adapt to climate change. Yet, there is limited empirical evidence on the differential vulnerabilities of farming and fishing households to these triple stressors. Using a household survey in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, we compare the vulnerability of farming and fishing households. We find that the farming households were more exposed to the triple stressors while the fishing households were more sensitive to the triple stressors owing to their poor physical and natural asset base. In addition, we find that the two groups share similar adaptive capacity and composite vulnerability scores. Overall, interventions such as credit schemes can enable fishing households to address their livelihood disruptions and build their asset endowment, and climate-responsive interventions such as early warning systems can partly reduce the climate exposure of farming households.

Adaptive capacity and vulnerability of the socio-ecological system of Indian Himalayan villages under present and predicted future scenarios

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is prone to climate shock and is highly sensitive to minor climate variance. Yet, there is a dearth of studies evaluating the adaptive capacity and vulnerability of the socio-ecological system. We assessed the household (n = 1346) and village (n = 77) level adaptive capacity and vulnerability to climate stress in Beas, Bhagirathi, and Teesta basins of IHR following a bottom-up approach. The estimation of adaptive capacity scores for surveyed households and villages were done based on preselected indicator scores of the natural, human, financial, and physical capital assets. The exposure to climate shock was obtained from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) data of different scenarios. The present and future vulnerability scores were assessed based on the adaptive capacity, exposure and sensitivity to climatic shock. The villages and households were grouped in resilient and vulnerable clusters, and major indicators determining the vulnerability were identified. Our result revealed the household and village level adaptive capacity were low in the Bhagirathi and Teesta basin compared to the Beas basin, so as the present and future climate shock. We found that access to different resources as well as natural and financial capital assets were the major governing factor for the adaptive capacity of the villages. We suggest future policy interventions to be on climate sensitive sectors, mostly the natural capital of the region as part of the adaptation and mitigation strategy to climate change.

The Readiness Index for Climate Change Adaptation in Africa: The Role of Climate and Adaptive Capacity Proxies

As global changes continue, the repercussions in Africa remain profound. This is reflected notably in food and water crises across Africa. This work examines the readiness of Africa to climate change adaptation through a newly developed readiness index (ClimAdaptCap Index). In fact, this work shifts the readiness debate from emotional descriptions that currently flood academic scholarship to a more pragmatic evidence-based approach in assessing readiness. Readiness for climate change adaptation is driven by the intensity of climate forcing and adaptive capacity. The historical climate score data or precipitation and temperature for the period 1991–2016 were culled from the World Bank Climate Portal. The historical adaptive capacity score data included proxies such as poverty and literacy rates from 1991 to 2016 were collected from the World Bank and Macrotrends. The climate data were normalized using the normalization function to enhance interpretation, comparison, and fusion into the index. Missing poverty and literacy rate data were estimated by linear interpolation of the poverty and literacy rate data. The ClimAdaptCap Index was developed to compute readiness. This index is the first of its kind and will serve as a flagship for assessing readiness for climate change adaptation as it is highly adaptable to different contexts. This work’s first-ever maps of readiness show that North and Southern Africa are the readiest for climate change adaptation under historical climate and literacy and poverty conditions. West Africa is the least ready while Middle and East Africa are in the middle. Consistent is that readiness has a positive correlation with literacy rates and an inverse one with poverty rates. In addition, with readiness scores of between 0.35 and 0.39 for all the regions with a maximum potential score of 1, this work has shown that the level of readiness in Africa is generally low, and there is a very small variation between the different regions. In addition, climate change adaptation will highly be influenced by both climatic and non-climatic indicators. The developed readiness index adequately simulates readiness to climate change adaptation in Africa and complements previous frameworks of adaptation preparedness.

Coastal vulnerability assessment of sea-level rise associated with typhoon-induced surges in South Korea

In this study, our objective was to assess coastal vulnerability to inundation due to global mean sea level rise in response to climate change to help prepare for future scenarios and typhoon-induced surges. To accomplish this, the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was defined as a function of indicators representing elements of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Using these indicators, we analyzed the effects of sea level rise on coastal regions and their socio-economic levels. The relationship between exposure and adaptive capacity, as obtained from statistical data, was defined as the status assessment (SA). The effect of global mean sea level rise was obtained by adopting scenarios provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for 2030, 2050, and 2080. SA and CVI were calculated in 55 coastal regions consisting of metropolitan areas, cities, and rural areas. This study showed that the effects of climate change-driven sea level rise would increase CVI as the most dominant element. In rural areas, lower adaptive capacity scores would also lead to higher CVIs. Comparing future CVIs to the present, the most noticeable increases were predicted for rural areas. These estimations of CVI in response to climate change, alongside comparisons made with respect to time, region, and indicators, may help researchers in designing effective countermeasures for coastal management.

Quantitative Multi-Criteria Decision Support Approach for Prioritizing Grade Crossings to Address the Problem of Blocked Crossings

How should an agency proactively identify and prioritize rail-highway grade crossings for intervention in relation to their likely performance benefits for the community and the system? Performance is mainly related to two factors: (i) the likelihood and duration of “blockage,” that is, the temporary obstruction of a road link when a train blocks the intersecting grade crossing, and (ii) the “hazard condition” of the crossing itself, with regard to its design and asset quality. Existing analytical grade crossing prioritization models focus almost solely on safety and crash prevention by addressing the “hazard condition” aspect of performance. The paper develops a quantitative multi-criteria approach that not only considers and builds on existing analytical safety-based approaches, but goes beyond and also includes considerations such as blocked crossings. The model calculates a multi-dimensional adaptive capacity score (ACS) for each crossing, which can then be used to rank a set of crossings, as well as test different policy scenarios and their effect on prioritization. The model is applied to approximately 5,700 grade crossings in the State of Ohio and detailed pilot validations with stakeholders in two counties conducted. Based on the validation process, the model provides comprehensive and cohesive results and is being deployed statewide. Next steps involve incorporating considerations for truck traffic and pedestrians/bicycles (non-motorized users) in calculating the ACS as well as developing mitigation measures for blocked crossings that can be considered from the model.

Single dose epidural hydromorphone in labour pain: maternal pharmacokinetics and neonatal exposure

IntroductionEpidural hydromorphone could be useful in obstetric analgesia as there is a need for a more water-soluble opioid than sufentanil or fentanyl with prolonged analgesic effect. To our knowledge, the pharmacokinetics of epidural hydromorphone has not been evaluated in parturients.Materials and methodsIn this pilot study, seven healthy parturients were given a single epidural dose of hydromorphone for labour pain. One parturient received 1.5 mg, two 0.75 mg and four 0.5 mg of hydromorphone hydrochloride. Dose was decreased due to nausea and pruritus. Hydromorphone’s effect, adverse effects and plasma concentrations were evaluated. Neonatal drug exposure was evaluated by umbilical vein and artery opioid concentration at birth. Neonatal outcomes were assessed using Apgar and the Neurologic Adaptive Capacity Score (NACS).ResultsAll patients received additional levobupivacaine doses on parturients’ requests. The first dose was requested at a median of 163 min (range 19–303 min) after hydromorphone administration. A total of 12 opioid related expected adverse events were reported by seven parturients. All newborn outcomes were uneventful. Hydromorphone’s distribution and elimination after single epidural dose seem similar to that reported for non-pregnant subjects after intravenous hydromorphone administration, but further research is required to confirm this observation.ConclusionsThe optimal dose of hydromorphone in labour pain warrants further evaluation.

Sustainability of Livestock Farming in South Africa. Outlook on Production Constraints, Climate-Related Events, and Upshot on Adaptive Capacity

The practice of pasture-based livestock farming systems in South Africa is susceptible to climate-related events, low production output, income fluctuation, and by extension poor adaptive capacity. Understanding the importance and gravity of sustainable livestock farming through adaptive capacity has been identified as a tool to cope in the face of the climate-related event which extends to production output. It is to this end, that the study explored the adaptive capacity and the socioeconomic determinants that influence this capacity used by the pasture-based livestock farmers in the study area. Random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 277 pasture-based livestock farmers in the study area from and their responses concerning on demography, farm-based characteristics, production constraints and adaptive capacity were used. Data were analyzed, in which the descriptive statistics, composite scores, and the extended ordered probit model were used to establish the results. The findings revealed the adaptive capacity score of low, moderate, and high to be 40.1%, 43.7%, and 16.2% respectively. Correspondingly, the model estimate revealed the significant factors that affect the adaptive capacity to include: the use of labor (p &lt; 0.05), other sources of income (p &lt; 0.05). Conversely, the age of the farmers (p &lt; 0.05) and landowners (p &lt; 0.01) was found significant but had a negative relationship to adaptive capacity. By implication, the study concluded that there is a need for fruitions of policies that support farmers’ socioeconomic behavior to engage more in adaptive capacity and to improve the Sustainable Development Goals of the united nation as well as vision 2030 of the National Development Plan.

An approach for assessing adaptive capacity to climate change in resource dependent communities in the Nikachu watershed, Bhutan

Vulnerability to climate change is a function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Econometric and indicator-based approaches have been used to assess vulnerability at regional, national and global scales. However, these approaches often fail to capture how vulnerability varies within regions and communities. Within regions there is often little capacity to distinguish between exposure and sensitivity, while there is potentially considerable variability in adaptive capacity. This study presents a new approach for assessing adaptive capacity at household and village-levels by combining econometric data and landscape ecology measures to generate new types of indicators that provide new insights into local level adaptive capacity. Livelihood security is a key contributor to adaptation and we used the sustainable livelihood framework as a basis for analysis. We combined social survey information with spatial data on different livelihood capitals and integrated these using multivariate statistical methods to generate indicators of adaptive capacity for households and villages. A mixed method approach was used in two contrasting localities in the Nikachu watershed in central Bhutan to gather social and economic data and spatial data on landscape variables. A total of 144 households were selected through simple random sampling and were interviewed across 22 villages in the watershed. Indicators revealed a strong link between adaptive capacity and landscape position. Households at higher elevations generally had lower adaptive capacity, and therefore higher vulnerability to climate change, due to differences in physical, financial, natural and human capitals. These households and villages had lower diversity in income sources, greater dependence on natural resources, less education and training, less access to infrastructure (such as roads), and access to markets than households at lower elevations. Gender was also important, with female-headed households having lower adaptive capacity scores. However, some higher elevation households had higher adaptive capacity scores than others due to their capacity to collect the valuable insect fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, from high altitude meadows. These new indicators provide insights into how adaptive capacity varies across scales. They can be used to identify policies and actions to improve adaptive capacity of vulnerable households and communities.

The Adaptive Capacity Index of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Related Shocks in Kinakomba Ward, Tana River County, Kenya

According to IPCC (2014) Adaptive capacity is the ability of systems, institutions, humans and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, take advantage of opportunities and respond to consequences arising. In a climate change context it relates to inter-relationship of social, political, economic, technological and institutional factors operating at a variety of scales Vincent, Katharine (2007) some genetic while others exposure specific. This study analyzed the adaptive capacity to climate related shocks of 390 farming households in Kinakomba Ward. The objective was: To determine the adaptive capacity index of the smallholder farmers in Kinakomba Ward. The index included five indicators of human resources, physical resources, financial resources, information and livelihoods diversity (Eakin and Bojorquez-Tapia 2008). The researcher used two methods to analyse adaptive capacity: Firstly an interview with 390 farming households to gather data on farming and household characteristics and Natural resources availability and secondly a panel of 15 Key Informants provided ratings of indicators of adaptive capacity using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) the results indicated that Livelihoods Diversity had the highest adaptive capacity score at 0.3 while the lowest adaptive capacity for Criterion was information at 0.12. Meaning that Livelihoods diversity was 3 times more preferred than information. The panel of key informants gave this alternative the highest weight and so this was the single adaptive capacity for Kinakomba ward. The results further revealed that occupational multiplicity had the highest score at 0.21 the panel of the key informants gave this indicator a high rating thus making it have the highest adaptive capacity while the lowest was given to infrastructure at 0.03, meaning occupational multiplicity at 0.21was 6 times more preferred to infrastructure at 0.03. The study concluded that When the Number of livelihoods sources are many and when the number of members in the household are also having different sources of livelihoods, then that household has a high adaptive capacity. Consequently when all the members of the households are adults and each has a job then the adaptive capacity of that household is high while a high dependency ratio leads to low adaptive capacity. The study recommended that the County and National governments and stakeholders to employ measures to adapt to climate change and variability. Keywords ; Analytic Hierarchy process(AHP), Adaptive Capacity, Key informants, Analytical Network Process (ANP) software, Super Decisions version 3.0 DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/95-07 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Mapping adaptive capacity of tribal dairy farmers to climate variability and change: A study of western Himalayan region

Tribal farmers are most vulnerable to climate variability and change (CVC) due to their climate sensitive livelihoods and lack of resources to afford the adaptation measures. In order to formulate appropriate programs and policies addressing climate change, it is essential to understand their adaptive capacity (AC). This study analyzed the level of adaptive capacity (AC) of tribal dairy farmers’ households of Himachal Pradesh, part of western Himalayan region (one of the fifteen agro-climatic zones in India), and confronting the factors that cause the differences in AC. Based on the previous studies, AC of each household was determined by developing a composite “Adaptive Capacity Index (ACI) by using method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with the help of statistical software SPSSv21. ACI was developed underlying the definition of adaptive capacity (AC) as put forward by IPCC (2007), consisting of five index components namely human capital, physical capital, financial capital, social capital and natural capital. Results showed that variations in AC were caused by differences in human capital, physical and financial capital. Tribal households that scored low in these three indicators had lower adaptive capacity (AC). ACI indicated that the most of the tribal dairy farmers (31.88%) of sampled region have low level of AC score category with wide variation in ACI components across the villages and households, which are highly vulnerable to CVC. Naurangabad village of Sirmaur district have lowest score (0.70±0.03) of ACI among the entire selected village. To cope up the adverse climatic conditions and for the sustenance of dairy farming in the study area, the appropriate climate resilient policies will be required for incentivizing the livelihoods infrastructure, promotion of grass root level innovations and to increase AC of tribal dairy farmers by using locally available resources.

Understanding adaptive capacity of smallholder African indigenous vegetable farmers to climate change in Kenya

Understanding the adaptive capacity (AC) of farmers is crucial to planning effective adaptation. Action to promote farmers’ AC is required because climate change (CC) is resulting in unpredictable alterations in weather patterns. Based on the sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF), this study explored how access to natural, physical, financial, social and human capitals enhances the AC. Quantitative data from 269 African indigenous vegetable (AIV) farmers in three selected agro-climatic zones in Kenya were analysed. Four indicators in each capital were selected based on previous studies and judgments collected from an expert online ranking survey (n = 35). The Kruskal-Wallis H test and an independent sample t-test were used to test the independence of AC scores and access to the different resources. The findings showed that the majority of farmers (53%) had a moderate AC, while fewer (32%) and (15%) had low or high AC levels respectively. Disparities in adaptive capacity scores were recorded between respondents in terms of their age, marital status and location. Farmers had high access to social capital but low access to financial, natural and human capitals. Female farmers showed lower capacities in the areas of financial, human and natural resources, while their male counterparts had low access to some human and social capitals. Resilient interventions that target individuals with low adaptive capacities are required.

Measuring disaster resilience in the Philippines: evidence using network data envelopment analysis

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we assess the resilience of households in responding to climate-induced calamities such as flash floods and landslides in Compostela Valley of the Philippines. Using cross-sectional survey data collected in 2013 and 2014, we applied the integrated data envelopment analysis (DEA)-based network model to estimate a composite resilience score, ranging from zero to one, and decomposed into coping and adaptive capacities. The overall resilience score of households is, on average, 0.75, while the average coping and adaptive capacity scores are 0.61 and 0.92, respectively. The correlation of the overall resilience with the adaptive capacity is significantly higher than that of the overall resilience and the coping capacity. This implies that adaptation measures of households mainly depend on external assistance that enables vulnerable households to recover from calamity, and thus effectively achieve post-event life stabilization. No significant difference in the overall resilience scores is found among villages in the surveyed area.

Intrathecal nalbuphine versus fentanyl as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section: a randomized double-blind study

Background Opioids have been used as an adjunct to bupivacaine in spinal blockade to enhance the onset of action, to improve the quality of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, and to increase the duration of block. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid agonist and nalbuphine is a synthetic opioid agonist-antagonist. The present study aimed to compare the effects of adding nalbuphine or fentanyl as an adjunct to bupivacaine on the characteristics of spinal blockade, quality of postoperative analgesia, and on fetomaternal outcome after elective cesarean section. Participants and methods A total of 80 full-term parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly allocated into two groups. Nalbuphine group (BN group) included parturients who received 12.5 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 800 μg nalbuphine intrathecally. Fentanyl group (BF group) included parturients who received the same dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25 μg fentanyl intrathecally. Subarachnoid blockade characteristics, duration of postoperative analgesia, the amount of postoperative analgesic requirements, maternal adverse effects, and neonatal outcome were compared. Results Onset of sensory and complete motor block, maximum height of sensory block, and time to two-segment sensory regression were significantly faster in BF group than in BN group. Maximum dermatomal block level was significantly higher in BF group than in BN group. The duration of motor block and the quality of anesthesia of both groups were comparable. Durations of postoperative complete and effective analgesia were highly significantly longer in BN group than the corresponding durations in BF group (P Conclusion As an adjunct to hyperbaric bupivacaine in spinal block, fentanyl was superior to nalbuphine in enhancing the onset of both sensory and motor block. Nalbuphine is superior to fentanyl in increasing the duration of postoperative complete and effective analgesia and in decreasing incidences of pruritus and shivering, and both drugs have similar effects on neonatal APGAR score and neurologic and adaptive capacity score.

Enhancing a community-based water resource tool for assessing environmental change: the arctic water resources vulnerability index revisited

People in the Arctic and sub-Arctic continue to face uncertainty in their livelihoods as they contend with environmental variability and change operating at multiple scales. The arctic water resources vulnerability index (AWRVI) was proposed as a tool that arctic communities could use to assess their susceptibility to both changing biophysical conditions affecting their water resources and socioeconomic conditions measuring their ability to respond to such changes. The application of AWRVI in six communities in Northwest Alaska and one in Southcentral Alaska is explored with a view to enhancing the tool as an adaptive capacity index, and a set of AWRVI indicators and parameters was refined by modifying the suite of biophysical measures and societal capacities to enhance the ability of the tool to gauge community adaptive capacity, and incorporate the use of more diverse datasets. A critical update was the development of an indicator for change in timing of precipitation in response to advice from Alaskan practitioners and scientists. Index scores based on the updated AWRVI are compared with the original AWRVI for the seven communities and show small to modest changes in the adaptive capacity scores. The role of the updated AWRVI is discussed as a tool to assist communities as they attempt to understand, negotiate, and reconcile adaptation measures for environmental change at local scales, potentially providing a guide for communities to target adaptive responses.