Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Framework Research Articles

Environmental risk analysis of The Bedadung Watershed By Using DPSIR

Bedadung River is one of the most strategicrivers located in the Bedadung Watershed in Jember. This river crosses Jember with a length of 46,875 meters and it is used as a source of raw water and irrigation as well as a source for PDAM in Jember. Along with many activities of the community, the water pollution load increases significantly. In general, the source of pollution comes from anthropogenic activities in the form of exposure to domestic waste, industrialization, population growth, pesticides and fertilizers, organic and inorganic waste, urban development and weak management systems. This study aims to analyze the environmental risks in the bedadung watershed based on water quality data using DPSIR method. The DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) framework has been used as one of the tools in environmental risk analysis that shows the existence of linear interactions between human activities-pressure and impact. In general, human activities are part of the drivers and human needs that can cause pressure on the environment. This pressure has the potential to cause certain negative impacts that need handling to reduce it. The DPSIR framework which being used is Driver (industry, garbage); Pressure (changes in the chemical composition of water); State (physical and chemical characters); Impact (changes in water quality); and Response (limiting waste disposal to rivers).

Application of DPSIR Framework to Explore Effectiveness of Solid Waste Management in the Maldives.

Waste management in preindustrial times was simple because most of the waste consists of organic materials which decompose naturally. However with the change in consumption patterns of the Maldivians, non- biodegradable synthetic materials such as plastic have become one of the leading causes of marine and coastal pollution in the Maldives. In an attempt to identify a low cost efficient approach of Solid Waste Management system across the country, the Maldivian government has introduced a community based solid waste management system at island level. Hence, the main focus of this study is to explore factors that influence effectiveness of Community Based Solid Waste management systems implemented at island level, using Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) framework. Community participation, community satisfaction level and community willingness to pay for the new system was evaluated in the study. Analysis of data showed, even though most people in the community were satisfied with the new system , there was no association between community satisfaction level and their willingness to pay for the sustenance of the new system. In addition, even though community was aware about plastic pollution, there was no association between community perception about plastic pollution and their willingness to adopt green consumer behaviors. The results also showed that even though majority of community members were satisfied with the current model of waste management system, the current system does not address the driving factors that contributes to solid waste generation at island level.

Construction and application of DPPD model for evaluating marine resources and environment carrying capacity in China

Abstract The evaluation index system of Marine Resources and Environment Carrying Capacity (MRECC) is incomplete and the relationships among indexes are generally neglected, resulting in the unreasonable evaluation results of existing studies. In order to solve this problem, a model named DPPD is established to evaluate the MRECC by innovatively integrating four methods, i.e., DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response), PCA (Principal Component Analysis), PA (Path Analysis), and DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory). The DPSIR framework is not only employed to identify 26 indexes of MRECC on 5 factors but also provide a possible influence mechanism of factors. The PCA and PA methods are both used to test possible relationships between each pair of factors and determine the effective influence mechanism, based on which the DEMATEL is used to objectively determine the weights of factors for MRECC. The comprehensive evaluation value and contribution rate are defined to reflect the overall performance of MRECC. Finally, the DPPD model is applied on 11 coastal regions of China and some general results are obtained. The weights of factors for MRECC are 0.098 (Driver), 0.176 (Pressure), 0.200 (State), 0.178 (Impact) and 0.348 (Response). The coastal regions of China have exhibited very slight downward trends on the MRECC in recent years but are still unhealthy. In 11 coastal regions of China, 7 are driven by double factors and 4 are driven by multiple factors.

Food Loss and Waste: Measurement, Drivers, and Solutions

It has been estimated that one-third of global food is lost or wasted, entailing significant environmental, economic, and social costs. The scale and impact of food loss and waste (FLW) has attracted significant interest across sectors, leading to a relatively recent proliferation of publications. This article synthesizes existing knowledge in the literature with a focus on FLW measurement, drivers, and solutions. We apply the widely adopted DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) framework to structure the review. Key takeaways include the following: Existing definitions of FLW are inconsistent and incomplete, significant data gaps remain (by food type, stage of supply chain, and region, especially for developing countries), FLW solutions focus more on proximate causes rather than larger systemic drivers, and effective responses to FLW will require complementary approaches and robust evaluation.

The Role of Ex-Post and Ex-Ante Integrated Assessment Frameworks in Conceptualization of the Modeling Process in the Context of Integrated Water Resources Management

Reconnaissance and conceptualization of the system are the first steps to perform an integrated assessment study and step towards sustainability. This paper focuses on the conceptualization phase of the integrated assessment using frameworks to identify the key variables of a system and their relations. Authors believe that in an integrated assessment study, it is important to include both “ex-post” and “ex-ante” aspects. This paper adopts Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) as an ex-post, and Goal Oriented Framework (GOF) as an ex-ante framework to the model conceptualization process in the case of water resources system in South Khorasan, Iran. It is shown that DPSIR framework is well adapted to describe past and present interactions of the system and provide a retrospective view, also more focused on the environmental dimension, while GOF is able to capture the future interactions as well and it can also encompass the three dimensions of sustainability. By adopting both frameworks, a more integrated and comprehensive view of the system has been achieved, which can be helpful to shed lights on knowing the key variables and relations to be relied on in the phase of developing efficient models to analyze the system.

An Integrated Analysis of the Eutrophication Process in the Enxoé Reservoir within the DPSIR Framework

The Enxoé reservoir in southern Portugal has been exhibiting the highest trophic state in the country since its early years of operation. The problem has attracted water managers’ and researchers’ attention as the reservoir is the water supply for two municipalities. Extensive research was thus conducted over the last few years, including field monitoring and modelling at the plot, catchment, and reservoir scales. This study now frames all partial findings within the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to better understand the eutrophication process in the Enxoé reservoir. Agriculture and grazing were found to have a reduced role in the eutrophication of the reservoir, with annual sediment and nutrient loads being comparably smaller or similar to those reported for other Mediterranean catchments. Flash floods were the main mechanism for transporting particle elements to the reservoir, being in some cases able to carry up three times the average annual load. However, the main eutrophication mechanisms in the reservoir were P release from deposited sediment under anoxic conditions and the process of internal recycling of organic matter and nutrients. Reducing the P load from the catchment and deposited sediment could lead to a mesotrophic state level in the reservoir. However, this level would only be sustainable by limiting the P internal load ability to reach the photic zone.

Addressing Maladaptive Coping Strategies of Local Communities to Changes in Ecosystem Service Provisions Using the DPSIR Framework

The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework has been applied to various environmental problems at multiple spatial and temporal scales and attempts have been made to conceptually improve the framework to encompass various stakeholder perspectives. However, recent literature experiences in the field have challenged the inclusive character of the framework applications. In particular, the framework's inability to incorporate the aggregated informal responses of people affected by changes in ecosystem service provisions has not been fully addressed. This limits the framework's validity in categorizing and disseminating information for addressing particular environmental challenges. Herein, we address this problem by analyzing a case study of deforestation and its impact on non-timber forest product collections by rural residents in Cambodia. We incorporate the concept of maladaptive coping strategies into the DPSIR framework and then further elaborate Ness et al.'s (2010) approach of merging the DPSIR framework with Hägerstrand's (2001)system of nested spatial domains. This conceptualizes the incorporation of the aggregated informal responses into the system, as exemplified in the case study.

Exploring the complex relations between water resources and social indicators: The Biobío Basin (Chile)

Basins are one of the bio-geo-physical areas where the ecological processes that generate the ecosystem services (ES) and contribute to human well-being (HWB) are more evident. They are also the physical scenario where the nature-human interaction is more intense. The explicit relationships that link biodiversity, ES and HWB, and the direct and indirect causes responsible for their degradation, have been rarely explored. We used the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to explore the relationships between the river ecosystem and the Biobío Basin’s social system. We selected 65 basin and regional-scale indicators to analyse the existing trends and associations among the different DPSIR components. The trend analysis results showed major biodiversity loss and how the regulating services and non-material goods of the HWB component deteriorated, while cultural services, direct and indirect pressures and institutional responses increased. The relationships among the different DPSIR components revealed biodiversity loss to be positively associated with cultural services, the material goods of the HWB component and pressures. Indirect drivers were negatively associated with regulating and cultural services, non-material goods and pressures. Institutional responses did not correlate with any DPSIR component. However, these results do not reflect the complexity of the Biobío Basin’s socio-ecosystem. We estimate that the DPSIR framework shows a corseted and reductionist vision of a greater complexity than merely a unidirectional nature-human relationship.

Evaluating the sustainability of marine industrial parks based on the DPSIR framework

Abstract In response to the intense development of the marine industry around the world, marine industrial parks are increasingly being established in coastal areas. To more effectively ensure the sustainable development of these industrial parks, an indicator system must be constructed to evaluate their sustainability. Therefore, a sustainability indicator system based on the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework was developed in this study and used to evaluate the sustainability of Shishi Marine Biotechnology Park, Fujian Province, China, between 2013 and 2016. Both the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy method were used to calculate the weights of the indices, and the indicator variables and evaluation models were uniformly transformed to obtain normalized sustainability scores. During the initial development of Shishi Marine Biotechnology Park, excessive exploitation caused serious environmental problems that hindered sustainable development, and the park reached its lowest pressure index score (3.097) in 2015. After park managers, governments, and enterprises implemented some sustainability measures, which are heavily weighted in the calculation of the five indices in this indicator system, the comprehensive sustainability score for this park increased significantly, reaching its highest value of 6.173 in 2016.

ANALYSIS OF BURULLUS WETLAND ECOSYSTEM USING DPSIR FRAMEWORK

Sustainable management of wetlands ecosystem become a serious crucial, especially with the rapid population growth and increase of anthropogenic activities, in addition to climate change threats. Several approaches have been introduced for ecosystem analysis and management since 1990s, where Driver – Pressure – State – Impact – Response (DPSIR) framework is one of the widely used approaches for assessing and managing environmental problems. This study applied DPSIR framework on Burullus wetland as a model of Egyptian Northern ecosystems, in order to analyze it from the perspective of its potential to deliver ecosystem services within current state of changes resulted from socio-economic drivers. Such changes have a direct or indirect impact on the wetland health and productivity, thus distress local communities relay on its services. Five main socio-economic drivers were analyzed and introduced through DPSIR framework. Number of actions and responses were recommended depending on DPSIR framework analysis. The results of this study will guide to prepare a management and restoration plan for Burullus wetland based on ecosystem approach.

Vulnerability assessment of water resources – Translating a theoretical concept to an operational framework using systems thinking approach in a changing climate: Case study in Ogallala Aquifer

Water is an essential natural resource. Among many stressors, altered climate is exerting pressure on water resource systems, increasing its demand and creating a need for vulnerability assessments. The overall objective of this study was to develop a novel tool that can translate a theoretical concept (vulnerability of water resources (VWR)) to an operational framework mainly under altered temperature and precipitation, as well as for population change (smaller extent). The developed tool had three stages and utilized a novel systems thinking approach. Stage-1: Translating theoretical concept to characteristics identified from studies; Stage-2: Operationalizing characteristics to methodology in VWR; Stage-3: Utilizing the methodology for development of a conceptual modeling tool for VWR: WR-VISTA (Water Resource Vulnerability assessment conceptual model using Indicators selected by System’s Thinking Approach). The specific novelties were: 1) The important characteristics in VWR were identified in Stage-1 (target system, system components, scale, level of detail, data source, frameworks, and indicator); 2) WR-VISTA combined two vulnerability assessments frameworks: the European’s Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response framework (DPSIR) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s framework (IPCC’s); and 3) used systems thinking approaches in VWR for indicator selection. The developed application was demonstrated in Kansas (overlying the High Plains region/Ogallala Aquifer, considered the “breadbasket of the world”), using 26 indicators with intermediate level of detail. Our results indicate that the western part of the state is vulnerable from agricultural water use and the eastern part from urban water use. The developed tool can be easily replicated to other regions within and outside the US.

Enhancing the resilience capacity of sensitive mountain forest ecosystems under environmental change (SENSFOR)

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:3-6 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01482 INTRODUCTION Enhancing the resilience capacity of sensitive mountain forest ecosystems under environmental change (SENSFOR) F. E. Wielgolaski1,*, K. Laine2, J. Inkeröinen2, O. Skre3 1Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway 2Thule Institute, University of Oulu, PO Box 7300, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland 3Skre Nature and Environment, Fanaflaten 4, 5244 Fana, Norway *Corresponding author: f.e.wielgolaski@ibv.uio.no ABSTRACT: The treeline ecotone and all treeline ecosystems (i.e. mountain forests) are important indicators of environmental change. They are heavily affected by environmental drivers, in particular by changes in climate and in land use (the latter change often being land abandonment, resulting in natural reforestation). The Europe COST Action ES1203 (Enhancing the resilience capacity of SENSitive mountain FORest ecosystems under environmental change; SENSFOR) initiative focused on treeline ecosystems in relation to such changes. SENSFOR evaluated drivers and the extent of contemporary and future environmental changes in European mountain forests, and developed methods for estimating forest resilience and defining the consequences for society. The outcome of the SENSFOR initiative provides a scientific basis on which management strategies can be developed and adjusted in cooperation with regional and local stakeholders. In addition, SENSFOR provides recommendations for policy makers at European and national levels. Through application of the DPSIR (Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response) framework, the findings of the SENSFOR network (consisting of 24 countries) contribute to strategy development for ecosystem service preservation and biodiversity conservation in sensitive European treeline areas. KEY WORDS: Treeline · Climate change · Land use · Resilience · DPSIR framework Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Wielgolaski FE, Laine K, Inkeröinen J, Skre O (2017) Enhancing the resilience capacity of sensitive mountain forest ecosystems under environmental change (SENSFOR). Clim Res 73:3-6. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01482 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by social-ecological systems: introduction and theory

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:7-15 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01437 Assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by social-ecological systems: introduction and theory Simo Sarkki1,*, Andrej Ficko2, Frans E. Wielgolaski3, Eleni M. Abraham4, Svetla Bratanova-Doncheva5, Karsten Grunewald6, Annika Hofgaard7, Friedrich-Karl Holtmeier8,9, Apostolos P. Kyriazopoulos10, Gabriele Broll11, Maria Nijnik12, Marja-Liisa Sutinen13,† 1Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, PO Box 1000, University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland 2University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Vecna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 3Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway 4Laboratory of Range Science (236), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece 5IBER-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 ‘Major Gagarin’ Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 6Leibniz-Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Weberplatz 1, 01217 Dresden, Germany 7Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685, Sluppen, 7485 Trondheim, Norway 8Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany 9Dionysiusstraße 6, 48329 Havixbeck, Germany 10Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou Str., 68200 Orestiada, Greece 11University of Osnabrueck, Seminarstr. 19, 49074 Osnabrück, Germany 12Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Group, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK 13Muhos Research Station, LUKE, Kirkkosaarentie 7, 91500 Muhos, Finland *Corresponding author: simo.sarkki@oulu.fi†Deceased‑Advance View was available online February 7, 2017 ABSTRACT: The concepts of resilience and ecosystem services broaden the opportunities for assessing sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs). The lack of operational frameworks for assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by SESs impedes greater integration of resilience thinking in natural resource governance. The greatest challenge so far has been to understand the capacity of the SES to (re)organize itself and sustain the flow of benefits from nature to people under various global and local pressures and trade-offs between ecosystem services users. To assess the resilience of an SES within a single framework, we propose a new approach which is a combination of: (1) the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework; (2) social-ecological indicators; and (3) scenario building. Practical application of the approach is demonstrated with the example of European polar and altitudinal treeline areas. The DPSIR framework analyzes causal relationships between the components of the SES. Social-ecological indicators quantify processes in the SES and estimate trends in the DPSIR factors. Combined top-down and bottom-up scenarios envision plausible development paths of the SES in the future based on expected global environmental and social changes which create context specific dynamics between DPSIR factors at specific localities. The proposed approach represents the analytical framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action SENSFOR (Enhancing the resilience capacity of SENSitive mountain FORest ecosystems under environmental change) and can be applied to promote systemic resilience thinking in any SES. KEY WORDS: Human-environment interaction · Ecosystem services · DPSIR framework · Resilience · Social-ecological indicators · Scenarios Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Sarkki S, Ficko A, Wielgolaski FE, Abraham EM and others (2017) Assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by social-ecological systems: introduction and theory. Clim Res 73:7-15. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01437 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Long-term monitoring for conservation management: Lessons from a case study integrating remote sensing and field approaches in floodplain forests

Implementing long-term monitoring programs that effectively inform conservation plans is a top priority in environmental management. In floodplain forests, historical pressures interplay with the complex multiscale dynamics of fluvial systems and require integrative approaches to pinpoint drivers for their deterioration and ecosystem services loss. Combining a conceptual framework such as the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) with the development of valid biological indicators can contribute to the analysis of the driving forces and their effects on the ecosystem in order to formulate coordinated conservation measures. In the present study, we evaluate the initial results of a decade (2004–2014) of floodplain forest monitoring. We adopted the DPSIR framework to summarize the main drivers in land use and environmental change, analyzed the effects on biological indicators of foundation trees and compared the consistency of the main drivers and their effects at two spatial scales. The monitoring program was conducted in one of the largest and best preserved floodplain forests in SW Europe located within Doñana National Park (Spain) which is dominated by Salix atrocinerea and Fraxinus angustifolia. The program combined field (in situ) surveys on a network of permanent plots with several remote sensing sources. The accuracy obtained in spectral classifications allowed shifts in species cover across the whole forest to be detected and assessed. However, remote sensing did not reflect the ecological status of forest populations. The field survey revealed a general decline in Salix populations, especially in the first five years of sampling –a factor probably associated with a lag effect from past human impact on the hydrology of the catchment and recent extreme climatic episodes (drought). In spite of much reduced seed regeneration, a resprouting strategy allows long-lived Salix individuals to persist in complex spatial dynamics. This suggests the beginning of a recovery resulting from recent coordinated societal responses to control excessive water extraction in the catchment, highlighting the need for continuing long-term monitoring. The DPSIR framework proved useful as a conceptual tool in analyzing the entire environmental system, while both field and remote sensing approaches complemented each other in quantifying indicator trends, improving the monitoring design and informing conservation plans.

A rapid assessment of wildlife tourism risk posed to cetaceans in Asia

ABSTRACTDolphin-watching tourism is growing globally. In developing countries, the typically low environmental awareness of operators and poorly enforced or non-existent regulations exacerbate risks to wildlife. Ecological indicators like behavioural responses are useful to assess wildlife tourism, but obtaining such data is slow and expensive. We modified the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework to rapidly assess the risk of dolphin-watching tourism harming, displacing or causing local extinction to dolphin populations, using human dimension data to complement limited ecological data. We assessed industries at seven dolphin-watching sites in six countries in Asia: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. All sites have reached or almost reached financial saturation except Cambodia and Malaysia. We find high risk to dolphins at the sites in India and Indonesia and intermediate risk at the site in Cambodia. Pending more ecological data, the risk at Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysian sites might be low. Our analysis also indicates site-specific conservation recommendations for Driver, Pressure and Response. We suggest that the DPSIR framework is useful to assess the risk of a wildlife watching industry, even when the impact is uncertain due to insufficient ecological data.

DPSIR Framework – A Decision – Making Tool for Municipalities

AbstractMany municipalities in Central Europe deal with the problem of invasive species in their natural ecosystems. Invasive vegetation eradicates native species and causes dense stands that damage the natural environment. This work shows how important it is to have an informative tool for municipalities to be successful in their struggles with invasive species. A Driver – Pressure – State – Impact - Response (DPSIR) framework is a decision - making tool, and this one is particularly applied to the species Fallopia japonica. Fallopia japonica is an extremely invasive and aggressive weed, and it is very often found in riverbank vegetation. This specific framework can be used as a tool for municipal managers to highlight all the problems with Fallopia japonica and define all the responses that should be provided by the municipalities. The work points out the steps that show how important it is to have a strategy or a clear concept of how to begin with such a serious issue as the presence of Fallopia japonica in riverbank vegetation and its eradication. This framework provides simple steps that cannot be excluded when a municipality start actions against Fallopia japonica. All the indicators used in the model are based on the information known about Fallopia japonica that are presented in the literature.

The DPSIR framework for causes analysis of mangrove deforestation in Johor, Malaysia

Globally, the coastal areas are changing due to increasing threats from different sources. Mangroves are most vulnerable and reducing its size during last few couple of decades. Some of the factors such as land use changes are acting directly while some factors are acting indirectly like socioeconomic factors. The mangroves ecosystem in Johor is changing for the purposes of developments such as agriculture, aquaculture, urbanization etc., which are triggered by different socioeconomic factors like population growth, population density, income etc. This change affects the local mangrove dependent communities both subsistence and commercially by reducing the ecosystem services both production and services functions of the mangroves. In this work the environmental assessment was studied by using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to identify, analyze and evaluate complex environmental problems. This complex situation is responded by the society or government through different initiatives (activities or planning) to reduce the negative impacts or to encourage the positive impacts. However this paper only focused on the anthropogenic factors of mangrove changes and the impact of deforestation for understanding the phenomena. The information of this study can be used by ecologists, environmentalists, social scientists, planners and decision makers.

Analysis of VIA and EbA in a River Bank Erosion Prone Area of Bangladesh Applying DPSIR Framework

This study aims to set up a comprehensive approach to the Vulnerability and Impact Assessment (VIA) of river erosion and to suggest Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) practices. Based on the analysis of vulnerability using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework, this paper discusses some of the significant climatic (rainfall pattern, temperature, seasonal drift, cold wave and heat wave) and non-climatic (river erosion, repetitive death of field crops and agrochemicals) forces in the Kazipur Upazila (Sirajganj District)—a river erosion-prone area of Bangladesh. Both primary (Key Informants Interview, Household Survey, and Focus Group Discussion) and secondary (climatic, literature review) data have been used in revealing the scenario of climatic stress. The analysis revealed a slightly increasing trend of mean annual temperature, and a decreasing trend of total annual rainfall from 1981 to 2015, which have been supported by people’s perception. This study found that river erosion, the increase of temperature and the late arrival of monsoon rain, excessive monsoon rainfall, high use of agrochemicals, and flow alterations are major drivers in the riverine ecosystem. These drivers are creating pressures on agricultural land, soil fertility, water availability and livelihood patterns of affected communities. Hence, floating bed cultivation, integrated pest management, use of cover crops, reforestation, the introduction of an agro-weather forecasting system, and a new variety of flood tolerant species have been suggested as potential EbA to cope with river bank erosion and to increase the capacity of the affected ecosystem.

How the DPSIR framework can be used for structuring problems and facilitating empirical research in coastal systems

As pressures on coastal zones mount, there is a growing need for frameworks that can be used to conceptualize complex sustainability challenges and help organize research that increases understand about interacting ecological and societal processes, predicts change, and supports the management, persistence, and resilience of coastal systems. The Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework is one such approach that has been adopted in some coastal zones around the world. Although the application of the DPSIR framework has considerable potential to bridge the gap between scientific disciplines and link science to coastal policy and management, current applications of DPSIR in coastal environments have been limited and new innovations in the application of the DPSIR model are needed. We conducted a structured review of literature on the DPSIR framework as applied to the function, process and components of complex coastal systems. Our specific focus was on how the DPSIR framework has been used as a tool to organize sophisticated empirical scientific research, support transdisciplinary knowledge at a level appropriate for building understanding about coastal systems, and how adopting a DPSIR approach can help stakeholders to articulate and structure challenges in coastal systems and use the framework to support policy and management outcomes. The review revealed that DPSIR models of coastal systems have been largely used to support and develop conceptual understanding of coastal social–ecological systems and to identify drivers and pressures in the coastal realm. A limited number of studies have used DPSIR as a starting point for semi-quantitative or quantitative analyses, although our review highlights the continued need for, and potential of, transformative quantitative analyses and transdisciplinary applications of the DPSIR framework. The DPSIR models we reviewed were predominantly single sector, encompassing ecological or biophysical factors or focusing primarily on socio-cultural dimensions rather than full integration of both types of information. Only in eight of 24 shortlisted articles did researchers actively engage decision-makers or citizens in their research: given the potential opportunity for using DPSIR as a tool to successfully engage policy-makers and stakeholders, it appears that the DPSIR framework has been under-utilized in this regard.

Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability Assessment in Coastal Region of Bangladesh: A Case Study on Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira District

Coastal areas are more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. Due to increased weather extremes caused by climate change, the coastal communities fall at high risk of casualties and damages. According to DPSIR (Driver – Pressure – State – Impact –Response) framework, population, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism are the main drivers of climate change at coastal Shyamnagar upazila which caused several social, financial, environmental and physical impacts. As most of the people are poor and living below the poverty line, the situation becomes worse during and after any climatic hazards. Natural capital, local economy, water and natural disaster etc. are more vulnerable components at the study area in terms of Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) as people are dependent on natural resources from Sundarban for livelihood. IPCC framework of LVI was also determined for this study. The order of LVI for studied unions are: Gabura (0.027)>Padma Pukur (0.0264)>Munshiganj, Kaikhali, Kashimari (0.0242)>Buri Goalini (0.020)>Atulia (0.0172)>Bhurulia (0.0108)>Ishwaripur (0.0105)>Ramjannagar (0.0102)>Nurnagar and Shyamnagar (0.003). According to the index values, the situation is worse at Gabura and Padma Pukur unions. However, most of the unions are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts in terms of exposure and sensitive components which have also exceeded the adaptive capacity.