Livelihood Activities Research Articles

The Street User’s Diversity and Its Impact on Livelihood Activities in the Central Business District

The Street User’s Diversity and Its Impact on Livelihood Activities in the Central Business District

Climate change aggravating migration and health issues in the African context: The views and direct experiences of a community of interest in the field

Climate change is an increasingly important theme in Africa, where a large majority of its people depend on livestock and agricultural activities for livelihood. Concurrently, the topic of health of migrants and people on the move is rapidly raising both in the health debate and migration governance agenda in the Region. The link with climate change from the perspective of health and migration experts needs to be systematically addressed. ObjectivesThe article aims to contribute to the discourse on the interrelation of climate change, migration, and health by providing contributions of experts in the field of health and migration directly working with migrant and refugee communities in Africa. MethodsA webinar was conducted to collect and discuss first-hand experience with 25 participants from a postgraduate online course on health and migration funded by the Austrian Government and implemented in a co-operation of the Center for Health and Migration, Austria, with Makerere University, Uganda, the International Organization for Migration – UN Migration, and Lancet-Migration. As a result from the discussions, two cases from Sudan and Zimbabwe were selected to be further analysed with desk research to illustrate and underpin the points made. ResultsAll webinar participants reported to encounter climate change effects on health and migration in their professional practice. In their experience, climate change aggravates issues of health and migration by fueling forced migration and displacement, increasing health care needs, and deteriorating access to health care. Specific health challenges were identified for mental health problems caused by effects of climate change-induced migration, which remain widely undiagnosed and untreated, and the special affectedness of women and girls, with their mental, sexual and reproductive health severely deteriorated in insecure environments. The case studies from Sudan and Zimbabwe underline these observations. ConclusionsThe interplay of effects of climate change, (internal) migration, and health is reported by a community of experts in the field of health and migration who are residing in Africa and working with migrant communities. Webinars prove to be an easy to implement tool to collect first hand evidence from practice experts, to foster exchange of experiences, and to get people engaged in further collaboration and discussion.

LABOR AS A PAYMENT VEHICLE FOR THE RANGELAND IMPROVEMENT: AN APPLICATION OF CONTINGENT VALUATION METHOD IN YABELLO DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Studies conducted regarding goods and services exhibit a low willingness to pay (WTP) in developing countries. However, many scholars found that this may not be the preference for the good but the result of the choice of payment vehicle. Thus, low WTP for ecosystem conservation may not indicate a low welfare for the ecosystem service. There’s the argument that the choice of the payment vehicles may be needed to obtain exact welfare estimates where there is imperfect substitutability between money and labor. Otherwise, there might occur underestimating of the welfare benefit of ecosystem services. Thus, the ultimate objective of this study is to investigate the labor-as a payment-vehicle by using a CV method and estimating the factors influencing pastoralists’ decision to contribute labor for the rangeland improvement. This study demonstrates it through a rural pastoralists’ choice to elicit their willingness to contribute a labor for the rangeland improvement in Yabello District, southern Ethiopia. A total of 228 sample respondents were selected randomly from the two adjacent Kebeles. Logit model was used to identify the factors that influence pastoralists’ willingness to contribute the labor for the rangeland improvement. The result shows that the endowment of household’s active labor highly influence respondents’ willingness to contribute. In addition to that, variables like sex, age, dominant livelihood activities, livestock holding, perception towards the rangeland improvement, dependency ratio, and initial bid value were significantly influence pastoralists’ willingness to contribute the labor for the rangeland improvement. To sum up, the findings of this study suggest that, just like the monetary value, the labor value can also be used to evaluate the demand of community for the ecosystem services improvement. Thus, employing the labor as a means of payment vehicle for accurate welfare estimations might be a practical alternative, and also giving a chance for the respondents to indicate their willingness to contribute for rehabilitation of degraded ecosystem in developing countries.

Multi-cropping: A land-use pattern that supports livelihood activities and prevents land degradation in Sierra Leone

Land is a precious resource that requires adequate management attention to harness its potential of sustaining life and enhancing livelihood for all. The emergence of multi-cropping practices in Sierra Leone has negative and positive outcomes regarding environ-mental degradation. This article tries to synthesize multi-cropping land use challenges, benefits and role in tackling land degradation. The study was conducted in Mile 91 surrounding communities, Yoni Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, Northern provinces, Sierra Leone. A total of 100 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. Additional data was collected through observation, group discussions and desktop review. The study reveals that multi-cropping practices, farming and deforestation were the main drivers of land-use change in the study. The key challenges facing the sustainable management of lands in Sierra Leone are obsolete land policies, complex land tenure system and conventional shifting cultivation practices. The land ownership system is strictly communal, with only a few families owning family bushes. The influx of recruited workers from overseas and other parts of Sierra Leone has positive and negative denotation. The study found that social problems like land confrontations, increase in food prices, school dropout rate, and dilution of traditional beliefs and norms are common in the study area. It is concluded that land-use change by multi-cropping is affecting the sustainable land management plan across the country. It is recommended that the government review past land policies and land tenure systems to tackle land confrontations soon.

Obstacle in Corn Production and the Livelihood Activities of Smallholder Farmers in South Central Philippines

Obstacle in Corn Production and the Livelihood Activities of Smallholder Farmers in South Central Philippines

黄土高原农户生计转型及其生态效应——以陕西省佳县为例

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 黄土高原农户生计转型及其生态效应——以陕西省佳县为例 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202203280766 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金(41771574) Farmers' livelihood transition and ecological effects on Loess Plateau: A case study of Jiaxian County, Shaanxi Province Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:在乡村地域系统人地关系日趋复杂的情况下,农户生计活动与生态环境之间的关系已成为生态效应研究的核心。本文以陕西省佳县为研究区,结合遥感影像、GIS技术和实地调研获取的微观数据,对1990年以来典型生态脆弱区农户生计对生态环境的影响进行长时序动态监测和分析,从农户种植结构、收入结构和劳动力要素投入结构对农户生计类型和乡村发展类型进行界定,分析农户生计转型过程和特征,基于土地利用分析生境质量时空变化,以生境质量为媒介分析农户生计转型的生态效应。主要结论如下:(1)佳县农户类型和乡村类型演化特征显著。从农户尺度上看,农户生计类型从以粮食主导型为主,逐渐演化为非农主导型为主粮食主导型为辅的组合模式。从乡村类型上看,传统农业型和新型农业型均逐渐演化为非农业型。(2)农户生计转型路径由多元化逐渐转向单一非农化发展,不同农户生计转型过程存在差异,按照转型路径特征可分为4类:持续稳定型、渐进型、调整型和倒退型。(3)生境退化度呈下降态势,从退化等级上看,无退化、轻度退化和中度退化等级面积增加,高度退化等级面积减少,严重退化等级面积降低为0。生境质量呈波动上升态势,从等级上看,占主导的为优等和较差等级,且优等级占比始终最高。(4)农户生计与生态环境之间的复杂反馈关系处于动态变化之中,且二者之间相互影响。在农户生计非农化转型过程中,生境退化度在逐渐降低,生境质量显著提升,农户生计方式转型主要通过对土地利用、资源消费模式以及生态系统产生作用,进而产生生态效应。 Abstract:With the increasingly complex relationship between people and land in the rural regional system, the relationship between the livelihood activities of farmers and the ecological environment has emerged as the core of ecological effect research. This paper takes Jiaxian County in Shaanxi Province as the research area, combines remote sensing images, GIS technology and microscopic survey data obtained from field research, to conduct long-term monitoring and analysis the impact of farmers' livelihood on the ecological environment in typically ecological fragile areas since 1990. This paper defined the types of farmers based on the planting structure, income structure, and labor input structure of farmers, also defined the type of villages' development. We analyzed the process and characteristics of farmers' livelihood transformation, the temporal and spatial changes in habitat quality based on land use, and used the habitat quality as a medium to analyze ecological effects of farmer' livelihoods transformation. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the evolution characteristics of the types of farmers and villages in Jiaxian County were significant. The type of farmer households has gradually evolved from a food-dominated type to a non-agricultural-dominated type with the main food-dominated type supplemented. From the perspective of rural type, both traditional agricultural type and new agricultural type have gradually evolved into non-agricultural type. (2) The farmers' livelihood transformation paths in Jiaxian County have gradually shifted from the diversified development to a single non-agricultural development path. Different farmers' livelihood transformation processes are not the same. The transition path can be classified into four types: continuous and stable, gradual, adjustment, and retrograde. (3) The degree of habitat degradation showed a downward trend. In terms of degradation grades, the areas of no degradation, slight degradation, and moderate degradation increased, the area of highly degraded grades decreased, and the area of severely degraded grades decreased to 0. Habitat quality showed a fluctuating upward trend. From the perspective of grades, the dominant grades were excellent and poor grades, and the proportion of excellent grades was always the highest. (4) The complex feedback relationship between farmers' livelihoods and the ecological environment is in dynamic change, there is a mutual influence between the two. During the transition of farmers' livelihood to non-agricultural transformation, the degree of habitat degradation is gradually decreasing, and habitat quality is significantly improving. The transition of farmers' livelihoods mainly produces ecological effects by affecting land use, resource consumption patterns and ecosystems. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Effects of Climate Change Variability on Physical, Natural and Financial Livelihood Assets of Rural Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effect of climate change variability on the livelihood assets of the rural farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain farmers’ awareness of climate change signs; sources of information on climate change; identify the livelihood activities of respondents and to describe the effect of climate change on the livelihood assets of the farmers. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting a sample size of 120 respondents. Data were collected by use of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The result revealed that the major signs of climate change included increased temperature, unpredictable rainfall pattern, drought, flooding, increased precipitation, crop damage and others. The major livelihood activities of the respondents in the study area includes crop farming, poultry farming, fishing and fish farming, trading and livestock rearing. Climate change affects the livelihood of rural people and can be seen in the effects it has on their physical, natural and financial capital. We recommend that rural people be well educated on the issue of climate change and made aware of its various effects so that they can get a good understanding of the concept before devising ways to battle it.

Transaction Cost Determinants and their Impact on the Livelihoods of the <em>Sanasa</em> Beneficiaries in Badulla District in Sri Lanka

Scholars have emphasized that Transaction Costs (TC) impede the livelihood success (LS) of small-scale producers. However, the absence of systematic empirical academic work which evaluates how TC affects the LS, particularly small-scale producers creates a gap in the literature. This study attempted to bridge this gap by analyzing the impact of TC on the LS particularly Sanasa beneficiaries who are involving livelihood activities with the support of Sanasa organization in Sri Lanka. The study gathered primary data from 273 members of Sanasa who were engaging in livelihood activities using multi-stage sampling. Data were gathered for a structured questionnaire having face-to-face interviews. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze data. The results revealed that the opportunism of exchange partners has a positive impact on TC and a negative impact on the LS of the Sanasa beneficiaries. The rational ability of Sanasa beneficiaries has a positive influence on LS and a negative effect on TC. Transaction uncertainty negatively relates to the LS while asset specificity has a positive effect on the LS of the Sanasa beneficiaries. Further, the results revealed that TC has a strong negative relationship with the LS of Sanasa beneficiaries. Thus, empirical results confirmed that TC obstructs the LS of Sanasa beneficiaries. Developing a mechanism to empower Sanasa beneficiaries to access information relating to the transaction using modern technology to contact reliable transaction partners would lead to improving livelihoods by minimizing TC.

Wetland-based Tourism and Livelihoods Strategies in the Pokhara Valley, Nepal

The aim of this study is to assess the current status of tourism and associated livelihood strategies around the Ramsar-listed Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley in Gandaki Province, Nepal. The study utilizes a mixed research approach, including field observation, semi-structured questionnaires, Key Informants Interview (KII), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). In addition, published scientific papers and relevant reports were reviewed to assess tourism and livelihood strategies in the area. The findings of the study revealed that locals engage in various livelihood activities, including tourism, business, agriculture, government and non-government jobs, among others. However, while wetlands-based tourism is a significant livelihood option in the study area, there is a need to identify more income- generating opportunities related to wetlands, as highlighted by the FGD. The study also found a positive and significant relationship between livelihood capitals arising from the wetlands and household livelihood level. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the livelihoods of the tourism-dependent community, particularly those in poor and disadvantaged groups. The study noted that the extent of the pandemic’s impact differs in core urban areas and neighboring settlements around the study area. Therefore, the study suggests that policymakers and planners must develop plans, policies, and strategies that promote the tourism sector and involve local communities in decision-making processes and tourism implementation, taking into consideration the global pandemic situation. Agriculture is the primary livelihood strategy for people living near the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, but it can lead to natural resource stress if not managed properly. The study suggests that tourism, particularly eco-tourism-based activities, could be the backbone for the livelihood services of the local population in the Pokhara Metropolitan City. However, to ensure the sustainability of ecotourism, there must be an integrated development and conservation strategy based on a strong public-private partnership.

Inside-Outsider Research Positionality: Experience from Field Work Undertakings in Goderich

This study was championed with the aim of exploring the role of an Inside-outsider researcher, and in particular with respect to the researcher's experience during a 2021 field study undertakings in Goderich, Freetown, Sierra Leone. The methodologies employed were based on “Focus Group interviews and Participant Observations” on adult participants within the age group of 18+ years. The study revealed intricacies surrounding (ethical) positionality as an Inside-outsider researcher, with consciousness focused on the need to be completely removed from emotional incidences given historical ties in the community. The study outcome finally acknowledged the relevance of negotiating cooperation in a bid to build transforming structures associated with the provision of government support to avail relevant assets for residents’ use in the community. These are considered critical in reducing risks posed to the community on account of voracious and destructive livelihood activities pursued by residents in meeting personal / family livelihood needs.

Can the migrants speak: A study on seasonal migration from Bihar to Kolkata after COVID-19

Migration is a dynamic social process that relocates cultures, ideas and resources from one region to another. In India, seasonal migration occurs due to various reasons such as economic, political, social, cultural, etc. The internal migration of India is fueled by the need for employment by unskilled labours in the informal sectors. Numerous unskilled labours from Bihar travel to West Bengal in search of better job-related opportunities. Such people are mostly employed in unorganised sectors with a very low pay scale. However, there are numerous challenges associated with the informal or its unorganised labour force due to fact of the limited scope of production, lack of social security, and so on. There is a paucity of research regarding the trends associated with this particular sector. In this vein, this research paper will aid in understanding the livelihood activities partook, the necessities of such individuals and their coping mechanisms. Furthermore, this research paper also delves into the changing socioeconomic and cultural contours of the studied population after the coronavirus pandemic.

Local perception on the impacts of biodiversity conservation on livelihood activities in Old Oyo national park, Nigeria

The study examined the socio-economic activities of rural communities in Old Oyo National Park and their perception towards conservation. Ten villages were randomly chosen from the five ranges based on their proximity to the park. A total of one hundred and fifty-two (152) structured questionnaire were administered to obtain information from the local community. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information on the livelihood practices and the impacts of the park on their livelihoods. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The major occupations of the respondents around the park were farming (25.7%), trading (22.4%), Artisan (19.1%), and Students (12.5%). The results showed that the majority of the respondents were male (69.1%) while 31.9% were female. Many of the respondents (39.5%) experience a loss of right/control over protected resources. The result further revealed that the respondents (28.9%) experienced the loss of traditional access to the park, with serious impact on the livelihood of the respondents. Chi-square analysis showed that there is an association between gender (χ2 = 1.857 p<0.05) and perceived access to natural resources. The result further showed a significant relationship between the respondents’ perceived access to the park-related resources and their marital status (χ2 = 10.184 p<0.001), indicating that marital status positively affected their perception of the park resources. It is, therefore, recommended that there should be training on alternative sources of livelihood and also sensitize the communities about the needs for conservation.

Promotion of Fish Production and Doubling Farmer’s Income among Scheduled Caste Fish Farmers in Assam, India

Aquaculture plays an important role in supporting livelihoods worldwide and also forms an important source of diet for over one billion people. The inland fisheries are of particular importance to the rural poor accounting for about fifteen per cent of total global employment. Besides employment, it caters to the nutritional need of the rural poor. Being an agrarian economy, fish farming is one of the important livelihood activities in Assam. Though “Kaibartta” is the main fishing community in Assam the profession has been taken over by the immigrant Muslim people in various districts of the state. Nevertheless, Scheduled Caste people living in rural areas have their own ponds at the back of their houses and they culture fish for domestic consumption. It is observed that rural farmers lack exposure to scientific fish farming and this may be considered one of the obstacles to low production and productivity. Thus, looking into the huge potentiality of the sector and its associated problems, a small intervention in the form of capacity building of the fish farmers’ belonging to the Scheduled Caste and distribution of various fishery inputs was undertaken. Twenty percent of three villages belonging to Schedule Caste in the Nagaon district were selected randomly for the interventions to be administered. The paper analyses the process of implementation along with the outcome of the project on the sample households. The result shows that the intervention has augmented the knowledge base and skill of the SC farmers and thereby enhances household income and nutritional security in a sustainable manner.

Climate Change and Gender: Mapping Drought and Gender Gap in Literacy and Employment Sections in Iran between 2011 and 2016.

Background: Drought is one of the most frequent natural hazards in Iran. Gender analysis can highlight the different needs and capacities of men and women to manage drought hazards. Thus, the present study aimed to map drought and the gender gap in drought data based on the provincial zones in 2011 and 2016. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 stages establishing a database and spatial analysis. Data mapping was done based on provincial divisions, sex-disaggregated distribution of literacy, and employment rate as well as drought patterns in Iran in 2011 and 2016 using ArcGIS software. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze and report the sex-disaggregated literacy and employment data. Results: About 80.73% and 75.27% of women and 80.89% and 74.74% of men experienced severe and very severe droughts in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Gender inequality in the aspects of literacy and employment in drought-affected regions was found in 2011 and 2016. Conclusion: Community-based planning and management in regions exposed to climate change are suggested for reducing the consequences of climatic disasters such as droughts. Women need to be empowered and trained for innovative livelihood activities in rural and urban areas in Iran and other developing countries affected by long-term droughts.

Factors Influencing Household Livelihood Diversification: The Case of Kebri Dahar District, Korahey Zone of Somali Region, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, livelihood diversification has become a major source of income for rural communities. This study was carried out in rural kebeles in the Kebri Dahar district, and it focuses on livelihood diversification strategies and the factors that affect livelihood diversification. The collected types of data were from primary and secondary sources based on a qualitative and quantitative basis. Multistage sampling techniques were employed in selecting the representative households of 119 respondents. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regressions were used to analyze and achieve the objective. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the collected data. The results revealed that 33.6%, 3.30%, 10.1%, and 52.9% of the respondents participated in the on-farm, off-farm, nonfarm, and combinations of livelihood activities, respectively. The descriptive statistics showed that 52.9% of the respondents diversified their livelihoods and 47.1% did not. The multinomial logistic regression shows that being male-headed as well as the increased age of HH head were found to be significant at a 1% significance level in three livelihood activities which positively and negatively influenced livelihood diversification. Livelihood diversification has a positive impact on security in the study area. Thus, it should be promoted not only by the government and nongovernmental organizations but also by individuals who are interested in livelihood diversification since it implies food security.

Livelihood Activities of Ethnic Minorities in Cao Bang Province: Case Study in Nam Tuan Commune, Hoa An District

This study aims to analyze the livelihood activities of ethnic minorities in Cao Bang province, using data from direct interviews of 120 households in Nam Tuan commune, Hoa An district. The results show that the livelihood activities of ethnic minorities are still precarious and mostly reliant on agricultural production, with tobacco plants serving as the mainstay of household subsistence. Additionally, there are differences in the means of subsistence among household types, with the poor relying more on tobacco and having less means of subsistence than other types. The government must promulgate policies to support and restructure the agricultural sector in order to increase added value and sustainable development, particularly by encouraging cooperative practices in the value chain of agricultural products.

Infrastructural Facilities and Livelihood Activities of Rural Dwellers in Katsina State, Nigeria

The role of infrastructural facilities in increasing the productive potentials and livelihood activities of rural populace has never been in doubt. Against this background therefore, the study, examined the state of infrastructural facilities provisions and effect on livelihood activities of rural dwellers in Katsina State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 224 respondents. Structured interview schedule was used to collect information on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, availability and conditions of rural infrastructural facilities, livelihood activities, constraints and perceived effect of rural infrastructural facilities. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Most respondents were within 21-30 years of age, married, and had Quranic education and farming as primary occupation. Skills acquisition centres, storage facilities and secondary schools were among non-available infrastructural facilities while processing centres, storage and skills acquisition centres were in poor conditions. Levels of involvements in non-farm and off-farm/processing activities were low while high for agricultural activities. Most respondents’ overall level of perception on effect of infrastructural facilities on their livelihood activities was low. Also, levels of perceptions of the effect of infrastructural facilities on non-farm and off-farm/processing activities were low while level of perception on agricultural activities was high. Significant relationships existed between sex (χ2 =58.017, <p = 0.05), household size (χ2 = 5.393, <p = 0.05) and respondents’ perceived effect of infrastructural facilities. Also, significant correlations existed between age (r = 0.143, access (r = -0.232), condition (r = -0.130), constraints (r = 0.143) and respondents’ perceived effect of infrastructural facilities on their livelihood activities. Low effect of infrastructural facilities was informative to the abysmal level of infrastructural provisions and state of available ones in the area. Providing infrastructural framework based on people’s felt needs and implementing same accordingly is germane to improved livelihood activities in the area.

Understanding Multidirectional Climate Change Impacts on Local Livelihoods through the Lens of Local Ecological Knowledge: A Study in Western Amazonia

Climate-related changes taking place in Amazonia substantially impact social-ecological systems, affecting local livelihoods strongly reliant on natural resources. Here, we investigate climate change impacts on different livelihood activities in western Amazonia, through the lens of local ecological knowledge. We conducted semi-structured interviews and surveys with ∼400 residents from 24 communities spread across a ∼600 km stretch of the Juruá River. Residents reported a vast set of changes, many referring to changes in the atmospheric system (e.g., more summer rainfall), but with cascading effects in physical, biological, and human systems. Different livelihood activities are impacted with different intensities and by different climate-related changes. While most changes have negative impacts, residents recognize some positive impacts of climate-driven changes (e.g., large river floods positively impact fishing). Beyond demonstrating the manifold and multidirectional climate change impacts, our findings highlight the contribution of local ecological knowledge in identifying vulnerable livelihood activities and biodiversity-based value chains.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Tribal Communities and Sustainability of Nature and Natural Resources in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve in India

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) continues to erode as a result of globalization and the homogenization of diverse cultures, yet it has helped to conserve natural resources and preserve nature for centuries. Biosphere reserves have been established in regions where both cultural and natural resource assortments are deemed rich. The present study was carried out in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) of India with the major objective of investigating the TEK of local communities with respect to the sustainability of nature and natural resources. Through both a questionnaire and interviews with tribal groups in PBR, a total of 128 plant species were documented, of which the highest number of species (52%) was used for food, followed by medicine (40%), cultural practices (13%), and construction of houses (11%). Apart from the collection of plants from the adjacent forests for their sustenance, the tribal groups engaged in various other activities including farming practices, maintenance of home gardens, soil and water conservation, and continuance of sacred groves. The nature and natural resource-based livelihood and conservation activities of tribal groups involve specific cultural practices and customary norms. This study reveals that the traditional knowledge of tribal communities offers unique ideas for developing and contributing to more effective sustainable management practices and nature conservation. It has a great potential to strengthen the agriculture and health sectors, as the tribal communities have accumulated a fair amount of knowledge in such sectors.

Ecological Calendars of the Pamir Mountains: Illustrating the Importance of Context-Specificity for Food Security.

Communities in the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia are among the most vulnerable to climate change due to their geographic location and subsistence-based livelihoods. Historically, ecological calendars supported their agropastoral lifestyles which provided anticipatory capacity to seasonal changes. Due to decades of Soviet colonization and socioecological transformations, knowledge of these ecological calendars fell into disuse. In 2016, Savnob and Roshorv, two villages in the Bartang Valley of Tajikistan, began the revitalization of these calendars using a participatory action research process through knowledge co-generation. We undertook a comparative analysis to investigate the importance of context-specificity to ensure food security and reduce their vulnerability to climate change. A preliminary analysis of the temperature regime and local language terms, relating to the positioning and quality of land, framed our methods-of-analysis. We compared the villagers' ecological calendars by focusing on indicator species, potentially threatening weather events, land-use, livelihood activities, and the role of the vernal equinox. Despite their close geographic proximity, context-specificity determined by distinct microecologies influences the timing and practice of these communities' livelihood activities. These villages have different dependencies on biotic and abiotic events, crops, and land-use; all of which affect food security and survival. These differences contributed to mutual support between the two villages, increased the availability of food, and thereby, lowered their vulnerability to climate change. As Savnob's and Roshorv's ecological calendars are updated with changing climate, they can once again enhance their anticipatory capacity while reducing their vulnerability.