Biosphere Reserve Research Articles

Flood vulnerability analysis using geographic information system in the core zone of the Lore Lindu biosphere reserve, Indonesia

Floods are caused by the accumulation of several factors, such as global warming, climatological characteristics, hydrology, and physical conditions of an area. The purpose of this study was to map the level of flood vulnerability in the core zone of the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve using geographic information system (GIS) based spatial analysis with scoring and overlay. The research parameters consisted of rainfall, elevation, slope, soil type, land cover, and distance from the river. This research was conducted in the core zone divided into 13 subdistricts and 2 regencies. The results of the classification of flood vulnerability levels are divided into 4 (four) categories: not prone, low vulnerability, moderate vulnerability, and high vulnerability. The results of the analysis show that the core zone of the Lore Lindu biosphere reserve is dominated by a non-hazardous site with an area of 145,018’28 ha (67.23%), a low vulnerability zone of 65,430.10 ha (30.33%), a moderate vulnerability zone of 5,025.29 ha (2.33%), and a high vulnerability zone of 245.99 ha (0.11). Areas with a high level of vulnerability are at low elevations with flat to gentle slopes. Most land use is dominated by water, mining, and open land without vegetation and is located around rivers.

Antibacterial activity of methanol extract from Wedelia biflora (L.) DC. growing in the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam

The study investigated antibacterial activity of methanol extract of Wedelia biflora (L.) DC. (Wollastonia biflora or Melanthera biflora) growing in the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam by using agar well diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity strength of Wedelia biflora (L.) DC. was depended on diameter of antibacterial zone causing by the methanol extract. The findings showed that methanol extract of whole plants, Wedelia biflora (L.) DC. exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram (+) bacteria: Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus but negative effects on Gram (-) bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Its antibacterial activity increased with increase in extract concentration. Only extract with concentration of 1000 mg mL-1 had moderately antibacterial strength against B. cereus but the extract with other tested concentrations had antibacterial activity at weak level according to Manuanza’s rating scale of antibacterial zones.

Склоновая и высотная приуроченность молниевых разрядов и пожаров от гроз в горной местности (на примере территории Республики Алтай)

The aim of the proposed study is to analyze the relationship of lightning discharges and fires from thunderstorms to altitude above sea level and slope angle of the terrain. It has been found that the highest proportion and density of fires are characteristic of the altitude range from 1000 to 1500 meters above sea level. The highest density of lightning activity is observed in the altitude range of 500-750 meters. With further increase in altitude, the density of lightning and fires decreases. A direct correlation has been noted between the increase in fire density and the increase in slope steepness up to 35 degrees. The study is based on data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and fire data provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Tourism of the Altai Republic and the Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve. The assessment of morphometric dependence of thunderstorm forest fires on the studied territory is conducted for the first time.

Diversity of bacterial communities in wetlands of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve: a comparative analysis between conserved and semi-urbanized zones in pre-Mayan Train era

BackgroundThe Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR) is known for its rich animal and plant biodiversity, yet its microbial communities remain largely unknown. The reserve does not possess permanent bodies of water; nevertheless, seasonal depressions associated with fractures create wetlands, known locally as aguadas. Given the recent construction of the Maya train that crosses the CRB, it is essential to assess the biodiversity of its microorganisms and recognize their potential as a valuable source of goods. This evaluation is pivotal in mitigating potential mismanagement of the forest ecosystem. To enhance comprehension of microbial communities, we characterized the microbiota in three different wetlands. Ag-UD1 and Ag-UD2 wetlands are located in a zone without human disturbances, while the third, Ag-SU3, is in a semi-urbanized zone. Sampling was carried out over three years (2017, 2018, and 2019), enabling the monitoring of spatiotemporal variations in bacterial community diversity. The characterization of microbiome composition was conducted using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. Concurrently, the genomic potential of select samples was examined through shotgun metagenomics.ResultsStatistical analysis of alpha and beta diversity indices showed significant differences among the bacterial communities found in undisturbed sites Ag-UD1 and Ag-UD2 compared to Ag-SU3. However, no significant differences were observed among sites belonging to the undisturbed area. Furthermore, a comparative analysis at the zone level reveals substantial divergence among the communities, indicating that the geographic location of the samples significantly influences these patterns. The bacterial communities in the CBR wetlands predominantly consist of genera from phyla Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria.ConclusionThis characterization has identified the composition of microbial communities and provided the initial overview of the metabolic capacities of the microbiomes inhabiting the aguadas across diverse conservation zones. The three sites exhibit distinct microbial compositions, suggesting that variables such as chemical composition, natural and anthropogenic disturbances, vegetation, and fauna may play a pivotal role in determining the microbial structure of the aguadas. This study establishes a foundational baseline for evaluating the impact of climatic factors and human interventions on critical environments such as wetlands.

From small water bodies to lakes: Exploring the diversity of freshwater bacteria in an Alpine Biosphere Reserve

Small water bodies, although supporting high biodiversity, are often understudied in the Alpine region. In this work, we characterized the planktic and benthic bacterial communities, as well as the water chemistry, of a wide physiographic range of 19 freshwater bodies within an Alpine Biosphere Reserve, including ponds, pasture ponds, peat bogs, shallow lakes, and lakes. We collected both water and surface sediment samples, followed by metabarcoding analysis based on the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. We investigated the changes in biodiversity and the distribution of unique and shared amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) between water (11,829 ASVs) and surface sediment (19,145 ASVs) habitats, as well as across different freshwater typologies. The majority of ASVs (78 %) were unique to a single sample, highlighting the variability and uniqueness of bacterial communities in such freshwater bodies. Most freshwater environments showed higher α-diversity in sediment samples (median, 1469 ASVs) compared to water (468 ASVs). We found that water and sediment habitats harboured unique bacterial communities with significant differences in their taxonomic compositions. Benthic bacteria were associated with several biogeochemical and degradative processes occurring in the sediments, with no notable differences among freshwater typologies and with phylogenetically and ecologically similar species. Conversely, planktic communities showed greater heterogeneity: small water bodies and peat bogs were characterized by higher relative abundances of Patescibacteria (up to 33 %), while lakes and shallow lakes were dominated by Actinobacteriota (up to 36 %). Cyanobacteria (426 ASVs) were generally distributed at low abundances in both water and sediment habitats. Overall, our results provided essential insights into the bacterial ecology of understudied environments such as ponds and pasture ponds and highlighted the importance of further exploring their rich pelagic and benthic bacterial biodiversity.

Four new species of the lanternfly genus Zanna Kirkaldy, 1902 from Cambodia and Vietnam (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoridae)

Four new species of Zanna Kirkaldy, 1902 are described: two from Cambodia, Z. chartieri Constant sp. nov. from Tatai in Koh Kong Province and Z. limbourgi Constant sp. nov. from Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Speu Province and Kbal Spean in Siem Reap Province, and two from Vietnam: Z. bidoupana sp. nov. from Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong Province and Z. kusamae sp. nov. from Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve in Dong Nai Province. Illustrations of the holotypes and male genitalia, photographs of live specimens and nymphs, a distribution map and host plants records are provided. The type of Zanna chinensis (Distant, 1893) is also illustrated for comparison. The genus Zanna now contains 37 species.

Coevolutionary dynamics in tropical peat ecosystems: A case study of Sumatra peatlands biosphere reserve

Tropical peat swamp is an essential ecosystem experiencing increased degradation over the past few decades. Therefore, this study used the social-ecological system (SES) perspective to explain the complex relationship between humans and nature in the Sumatran Peatlands Biosphere Reserve. The peat swamp forest has experienced a significant decline, followed by a significant increase in oil palm and forest plantations in areas designated for peat protection. Human systems have evolved to become complex and hierarchical, constituting individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions. Studies on SES conducted in the tropical peatlands of Asia have yet to address the co-evolutionary processes occurring in this region, which could illustrate the dynamic relationship between humans and nature. This study highlights the co-evolutionary processes occurring in the tropical peatland biosphere reserve and provides insights into their sustainability trajectory. Moreover, the coevolution process shows that biosphere reserve is shifting toward an unsustainable path. This is indicated by ongoing degradation in three zones and a lack of a comprehensive framework for landscape-scale water management. Implementing landscape-scale water management is essential to sustain the capacity of peatlands social-ecological systems facing disturbances, and it is important to maintain biodiversity. In addition, exploring alternative development pathways can help alter these trajectories toward sustainability.

The Environmental Legal Framework of Mexican Caribbean Dunes: A Retrospective Case Study of Vegetation and Coastal Dune Loss in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

The Mexican Caribbean coastal dune is protected by national and international environmental legislation. However, through permits, concessions and authorizations for changes in land use, the coastal dune has been fragmented or suppressed, mainly for touristic activities, causing a decline in protective and ecological ecosystem services. In this study, we evaluated the strength and weakness of Mexican legislation to protect the Caribbean coastal dune ecosystem and estimated the historical and current effects on coastal dune vegetation and dune geomorphology, associated with legal allowances of land use change in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (SKBR). Legislation at the federal, state and local level were critically reviewed, and with remote sensing techniques and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), we conducted a case study in the SKBR to estimate coastal dune vegetation alteration trends during the period 2011–2020 and modifications on the dune geomorphology associated with land use change allowances. At the federal (four laws), state (eight laws) and local (nine Local and Territorial Planning Programs (POEL and POET) levels, we found a lack of consensus and alignment between regulations, starting with a lack of definition of ecosystems subject to protection. For coastal dunes, none of them consider topography, ecological function and a way to identify it in the field, making the surveillance highly complex and favoring land use changes, the removal of vegetation and dune geomorphology alteration. Remote sensing techniques showed that areas with land use authorizations exhibit negative vegetation cover trends (Mann–Kendall <−0.4), indicating a decline in vegetation cover density that is mostly anthropogenically induced. The RPAS analysis demonstrated drastic alterations to complete elimination of the coastal dune geomorphology in areas with land use change. In the Mexican Caribbean, the loss of coastal dune and associated ecosystem by the lack of congruent legislation threatens the environmental stability of the coastal areas.

<i>Hechtia cerrostlatilpae</i> (Hechtioideae; Bromeliaceae), a new species from Morelos, Mexico

Background: As a result of botanical explorations carried out for the project Bromeliaceae of Mexico, we collected plants of the genus Hechtia within the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve, in Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico. However, this plant does not resemble any known species. Question: Do the Hechtia populations in Xochipala correspond to an undescribed taxon? Studied species: Species of Hechtia previously reported from Morelos and all the taxa with greater morphological similarity to the new proposed taxon. Study site and date: Xochipala, municipality of Tlaquiltenango, Morelos, Mexico, 2023. Methods: Our research involved field work, review of herbarium specimens, protologues, and type material of all the species of Hechtia distributed in Morelos, in the neighboring states of Puebla and Guerrero, and of the most morphologically similar taxa. Results: After a careful and detailed review of the living material and herbarium specimens, we conclude that those plants belong to an undescribed taxon that we propose here. A morphological description, images, and a distribution map of Hechtia cerrostlatilpae are included, as well as an identification key and a list of examined specimens of all Hechtia species known from the state of Morelos. Conclusions: The discovery of a new species of Hechtia in Xochipala, Morelos, Mexico increases the plant diversity of Morelos, particularly at the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve. Hechtia cerrostlatilpae presents unique vegetative and floral characters that allow its recognition as a new species within the genus.

Extensive Diversity of Viruses in Millipedes Collected in the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve (Vietnam).

Advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have led to breakthroughs in the study of virus biodiversity. Millipedes (Diplopoda, Myriapoda, Arthropoda) include more than 12,000 extant species, yet data on virus diversity in Diplopoda are scarce. This study aimed to explore the virome of the millipedes collected in the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam. We studied 14 species of millipedes and managed to assemble and annotate the complete coding genomes of 16 novel viruses, the partial coding genomes of 10 more viruses, and several fragmented viral sequences, which may indicate the presence of about 54 more viruses in the studied samples. Among the complete and partial genomes, 27% were putative members of the order Picornavirales. Most of the discovered viruses were very distant from the viruses currently present in the relevant databases. At least eight viruses meet the criteria to be recognized as a new species by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, and, for two of them, a higher taxonomic status (genus and even family) can be suggested.

Exploring the Implementation of UNESCO's MAB Program in South Africa: A Case Study of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve.

The Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) responds to challenges of the Anthropocene through an explicit social-ecological approach. Implemented as a world network of biosphere reserves, MAB aims to increase [eco]system sustainability and resilience globally, via individual model sites for learning and sustainable development. This research provides an in-depth case study of MAB implementation in South Africa using the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), established in 2007 when a key MAB guiding policy, the Madrid Action Plan came into effect. The study utilized semi-structured in-depth interviews with strategic and operational management, and document analysis. The CWBR prioritizes their role as a landscape coordinator, a driver of socio-economic development and site in which humans derive benefits from healthy natural environments. The CWBR have adopted a non-profit organization cooperative governance model in support of this vision, fulfilling the socio-economic development function primarily through successful international partnerships. Challenges faced include a perceived lack of sufficient government support, limited stakeholder awareness and insufficient resources for project implementation. Over reliance on the pillar of their model, the chief executive officer in the current governance form, is an instrument in their effectiveness, yet carries significant risk. These are learnings useful for other biosphere reserves translating an international designation for a local context.

Establishing monarch butterfly overwintering sites for future climates: Abies religiosa upper altitudinal limit expansion by assisted migration

Climate change projections suggest a precarious future for the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as the suitable climatic habitat of its exclusive overwintering host Abies religiosa (oyamel, Sacred fir, a conifer endemic to Mexico) inside the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) is expected to disappear by 2090. Since the upper elevation limit of A. religiosa is approximately 3,500 m and the summits of mountains within the MBBR are ca. 3,550 m, we tested the feasibility of establishing A. religiosa at four locations outside its current geographic range in the MBBR, on a geographically close volcano, Nevado de Toluca at 4000 (timberline, an extreme site), 3,800, and 3,600 m (to test species range expansion upward in elevation), and at 3400 m (a reference site, slightly lower than the upper elevation limit of A. religiosa). Using existing shrubs as nurse plants to protect the seedlings from extreme temperatures, at each site we planted five to eight populations, originating between 3,100 and 3,500 m within the MBBR. After three growing seasons in the field (6 years after sowing), we found that: (a) survival and height increment declined steeply with test site elevation; (b) even at the highest sites (3,800 and 4,000 m), survival was acceptable, at 68 and 44%, respectively, although the growth was very poor at 4000 m; (c) populations responded similarly to transfer; (d) transfer effects were best accounted for by annual dryness index; (e) to compensate for the expected 2.3°C increase in mean annual temperature or 0.009 √°Cmm−1 increase of annual dryness index from the reference period (1961–1990) to the decade centered in 2060, it would be necessary to shift populations approximately 500 m to higher elevations; and (f) upward transfers to compensate for the 2.3°C increase in mean annual temperature are expected to result in height increment and survival that are approximately 47 and 21% lower, respectively, than values expected at zero transfer distance. We conclude that the establishment of A. religiosa at 3600 and 3,800 m is feasible and that planted stands could eventually serve as overwintering sites for the Monarch butterfly under projected future climates.

Vulnerability of Agricultural Households to Human–Wildlife Conflicts around Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Northern Benin

Vulnerability of Agricultural Households to Human–Wildlife Conflicts around Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Northern Benin

Microplastic pollution and associated trace metals in freshwater ecosystems within protected natural areas: the case of a biosphere reserve in Mexico

Microplastic pollution and associated trace metals in freshwater ecosystems within protected natural areas: the case of a biosphere reserve in Mexico

Restoration of stand on the site of burnt spruce forest in the Central Forest reserve

With the warming of the climate, the intensification of droughts and the drying up of coniferous forests, the number of forest fires is also increasing. Therefore, the study of the post-fire dynamics of stands and prospects for reforestation on burnt areas is especially relevant. The research was carried out in the Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve (southern taiga) on the burnt area formed in 1999 as a result of a thunderstorm. The purpose of the work was: to describe the state of vegetation 22 years after burnout; to find out the characteristics of the stand formed on the burnt area and the possibility of their use for reconstructing the history of disturbancies in old spruce forests. The objectives of the study included: monitoring vegetation changes in the 1999 burnt area; studying the growth of spruce undergrowth in the burnt area; finding out the number and ratio of preliminary and subsequent renewal of tree species; analyzing the distribution and amount of coals in the sample plots (depending on the intensity of burnout and the state of the pre-fire stand). To study the state of vegetation after the burnout of the blueberry-wood sorrel and wood sorrel – nemoral-herb spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) forests, 14 sample plots (100 m2 each) were laid in the northwestern part of the burnt area. The sample plots covered 1.5 hectares. 22 years after the fire, a mixed small-leaved forest with a predominance of birch and a significant participation of spruce has been forming on the site of burnt spruce forests. Spruce is represented mainly by post-fire renewal. In the undergrowth, the ratio of pre- and post-renewal spruce is about 1 : 3. In the ground cover, a small number of nemoral herb species is recorded, and in the stand and undergrowth – almost complete absence of broad-leaved species. A lot of coals were found in soil digs in 4 sample plots (30%); there were no coals in 3 (20%) sample plots, and small coals in small amount were found in 7 (50%) sample plots. Assessing the possibilities of identifying the first post-fire generation of spruce in old stands, it must be said that none of the characteristics of a post-fire spruce stand is universal for its recognition. Only a set of features allows to identify the history of the stand. Distinctive features of the first post-old generation: the presence of coals in 30% of samples or more; a large admixture of birch and aspen; a large diversity of the aspen part of the stand; if there are broad-leaved species, they will be much younger than the spruce; the presence of a sharp decline, and then a rise in growths in a significant part of the oldest spruce trees; the main generation of spruce has initial radial growths on an average of 2.1 mm/year, and the absence of synchronous sharp rises of the growths at the beginning of life. The age of aspen most accurately corresponds to the year of the fire.

Assessing the Provisioning of Ecosystem Services Provided by the Relics Forest in Togo’s Mono Biosphere Reserve

In most Sub-Saharan African countries, such as Togo, forest ecosystems provide ecosystem services to the local population. These ecosystem services are of vital importance to the local populations, who depend on the benefits derived from their use to meet their socio-economic needs. The permanent dependence of these populations on ecosystem services is a major factor accelerating the degradation of natural resources, which are already under pressure from climatic factors. The present study assesses the provisioning of ecosystem services provided by the relics forest in the southeast region of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo. Individual interviews and group discussions were carried out with 420 households in fourteen villages around the reserve to identify the current uses of woody species. The results show that 100% of the respondents cited plant species, such as Mitragyna inermis, Lonchocarpus sericeus, and Diospyros mespiliformis, as used for wood. Species, such as Mimusops andogensis and Triplohiton scleroxylon, were cited as exclusively used for wood by 94% and 86%, respectively. Other species, such as Vitex doniana and Dialium guineense, in addition to their use for wood (93% and 70%), were cited, respectively, by 97% and 98% of respondents as used for fruit, and by 82% and 90% for their leaves. The heavy daily use of these species compromises their sustainability. An analysis of Sorensen’s similarity index, according to gender, age, ethnic group, and sector of activity, revealed a variation in this index ranging from 0.6 to 1, reflecting households’ knowledge of the use of these seven species. The local populations are already feeling the effects of the low availability of these commonly used species. According to them, the depletion of these resources is caused mainly by agricultural clearing, illegal logging, and bushfires.

Biosphere Reserves as model regions for transdisciplinarity? A literature review

AbstractThe World Network of Biosphere Reserves promotes learning sites for sustainable development, designated under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme (MAB). The programme aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation, economic development and capacity building. Scientific research in and about Biosphere Reserves is expected to support these objectives. In response to a strong focus on natural sciences and conservation issues, calls for transdisciplinary approaches emanated from science and the newest MAB Lima Action Plan. Yet, the extent and contributions of transdisciplinary research in Biosphere Reserves remains unexplored. This study provides a comprehensive and systematic screening of 3304 scientific publications in and about Biosphere Reserves published since 1975. Research within Biosphere Reserves spans a broad spectrum, encompassing social to political to ecological investigations, with a focus on natural sciences and studies conducted mainly in Europe and Asia. We identified an emerging field of transdisciplinary science in research, represented in 336 publications. Most transdisciplinary studies were conducted in Mexican and Indian Biosphere Reserves. While transdisciplinary research provided insights about participation, management and governance in Biosphere Reserves, its transformative potential could be enhanced, notably through stronger forms of participation of non-academic actors in research processes. Our review suggests strengthening knowledge co-creation about transformative solutions and interventions addressing deep leverage points. Scientific research could thereby enhance the role of Biosphere Reserves as model regions for sustainability transformations.

A new species of karst-dwelling bent-toed gecko of the Cyrtodactylusintermedius group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from eastern Thailand and the phylogenetic placement of C.intermedius.

A new karst-dwelling bent-toed gecko of the Cyrtodactylusintermedius group is described from Khlong Hat District, Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand, based on an integrative taxonomic analysis of genetic data and morphological characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene revealed that topotypes of C.intermedius were sister to a clade containing C.kulenensis from Cambodia, an unnamed lineage from Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, and the Khlong Hat lineage described here as Cyrtodactyluskhlonghatensis sp. nov. Multivariate analyses of morphometric and meristic characters showed that C.khlonghatensis sp. nov. is morphologically distinct from all other species in the group by having the combination of SVL 76.5-82.8 mm in adult males and 88.5 mm in an adult female; eight supralabial and nine infralabial scales; 30-32 paravertebral tubercles; 20 or 21 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 43 or 44 ventral scales; seven or eight expanded subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; 12 unmodified subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; 19 or 20 total subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; 31 or 32 total number of enlarged femoral scales; enlarged femoral and precloacal scales continuous; 6-8 pore-bearing precloacal scales in males; three or four rows of enlarged post-precloacal scales; 1-3 postcloacal tubercles; proximal femoral scales less than one-half the size of distal femoral scales; absence of interdigital pocketing between digits of forefeet and hindfeet; and posterior border of the nuchal loop rounded. Uncorrected pairwise genetic divergences (p-distances) between the new species and other species of the intermedius group ranged from 4.73-22.55%. The discovery of this new species exclusively in isolated karst formations from the Thai-Cambodia border suggests that there may be further undiscovered Cyrtodactylus in unexplored karst landscapes along the border of eastern Thailand and western Cambodia.

“Swoop and Grab Your Rights”

Abstract This article centers community archives as sources of history as well as sites of theory to map interconnected social and ecological struggles in the Niti Valley of the central Himalayas from the late nineteenth to the late twentieth centuries. Tolchha and Marchha communities have integrated different ecological belts over centuries through lifeways of trade, pastoralism, and herb gathering. Colonial and postcolonial policies threatened to sever these lifeways through militarized borders, timber extraction, and the demarcation of the exclusive boundaries of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Yet tribal communities have fought to maintain ancestral relations with land by infringing upon colonial restrictions and defying dichotomies of nature and culture through the postcolonial Chipko and Jhapto Cheeno movements. Juxtaposing official archives with community archives from Lata Village, this article argues that leaders of people's movements have sought to reclaim authority over Himalayan history and resituate rural struggles within the framework of Indigenous spatial knowledges.

Determinants of livelihood vulnerability to climate change among the agrarian community: Empirical evidence from the coastal region of Indian Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

The impacts of climate change on the livelihood of agrarian households on the coast of the Indian Sundaraban Biosphere Reserve have not been addressed. Thus, it is important to identify the underlying factors for livelihood vulnerability in this region and know how climate change-related events and socio-economic conditions affect them. This work aimed to measure six major domains of livelihood vulnerability, such as overall livelihood loss, livestock loss, crop and crop area loss, fishing area loss, housing loss, and income loss. I selected the ordered probit regression and focus group discussion approaches. Results revealed that the significant determinant factors of livelihood vulnerability were early warning system, education, land holding size, social group, type of house, occupation, distance to the local market and health centre, membership of self-help group, agreement with summer temperature increased, cyclone increased, flood increased, drought in Kharif season increased. In this region, several agrarian households have taken some adaptation measures such as changing crop varieties, crop diversification, converting agriculture to fishery, and saline tolerant varieties. This approach is adaptable and can be put into practice on different levels, not just in other parts of India but also in diverse developing countries.