Mitigation Practices Research Articles

Clonal hematopoiesis and inflammation in the vasculature: CHIVE, a prospective, longitudinal clonal hematopoiesis cohort and biorepository

AbstractClonal hematopoiesis (CH) is an age-associated phenomenon leading to an increased risk of both hematologic malignancy and nonmalignant organ dysfunction. Increasingly available genetic testing has made the incidental discovery of CH clinically common yet evidence-based guidelines and effective management strategies to prevent adverse CH health outcomes are lacking. To address this gap, the prospective CHIVE (clonal hematopoiesis and inflammation in the vasculature) registry and biorepository was created to identify and monitor individuals at risk, support multidisciplinary CH clinics, and refine taxonomy and standards of practice for CH risk mitigation. Data from the first 181 patients enrolled in this prospective registry recapitulate the molecular epidemiology of CH from biobank-scale retrospective studies, with DNMT3A, TET2, ASXL1, and TP53 as the most commonly mutated genes. Blood counts across all hematopoietic lineages trended lower in patients with CH. In addition, patients with CH had higher rates of end organ dysfunction, in particular chronic kidney disease. Among patients with CH, variant allele frequency was independently associated with the presence of cytopenias and progression to hematologic malignancy, whereas other common high-risk CH clone features were not clear. Notably, accumulation of multiple distinct high-risk clone features was also associated with cytopenias and hematologic malignancy progression, supporting a recently published CH risk score. Surprisingly, ∼30% of patients enrolled in CHIVE from CH clinics were adjudicated as not having clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential, highlighting the need for molecular standards and purpose-built assays in this field. Maintenance of this well-annotated cohort and continued expansion of CHIVE to multiple institutions are underway and will be critical to understanding how to thoughtfully care for this patient population.

Do smallholders have a role to play in atmospheric greenhouse gas removal? Insights from western Kenya

Despite consensus by the international community on the need for setting targets for reducing emissions or enhancing removal of greenhouse gases, comprehensive strategies for enumerating smallholders’ roles are yet to be designed and tested. Moreover, although smallholders’ role as net greenhouse gas removers has been speculated, evidence of this fact is necessary. A survey of 380 smallholders involved in maize-farming system in four sub-counties of western Kenya representing heterogeneity in agro-ecological zones and postulated biomass cooking energy access and demand was undertaken. The objectives of the study included to i). determine the smallholders’ net role in GHGs’ removals; ii). assess the presence of differences in smallholders’ emission status for an identical system but in dissimilar agro-ecological zones iii). relate atmospheric GHG removers to households' socio-economic characteristics and iv). enumerate a cost-effective approach of estimating atmospheric greenhouse gases emissions and removal. Greenhouse gas emissions and removal activity data, default emission factors and outcomes of allometric equations based on existing secondary sources were incorporated into the primary database from the survey to derive smallholders’ roles as net GHG removers. Economic models were used to derived the drivers of GHG removal. Most smallholders were net CO2e removers with differences among them and the sampled sub-counties associated with intensity in adoption of the maize-agroforestry system and levels of biomass utilization. Net CO2e removers significantly (p < 0.05) reared more livestock, utilized more fertilizer at both planting and topdressing stages, reported higher maize yields and had planted more trees than those who were net dischargers. Factors influencing the probability (p < 0.05) of smallholder being a net carbon remover included household size, maize yield, land owned and adoption of energy saving cooking stoves. Emission mitigation practices reported were compatible with food security, agricultural commercialization and the welfare enhancing production operations. The approach adopted in enumerating greenhouse gases emission and removal could highly enhance developing countries reporting the National GHG's Inventories and pin-point intervention options.

Both yields of maize and soybean and soil carbon sequestration in typical Mollisols cropland decrease under future climate change: SPACSYS simulation

Although Mollisols are renowned for their fertility and high-productivity, high carbon (C) losses pose a substantial challenge to the sustainable provision of ecosystem services, including food security and climate regulation. Protecting these soils with a specific focus on revitalizing their C sequestration potential emerges as a crucial measure to address various threats associated with climate change. In this study, we employed a modeling approach to assess the impact of different fertilization strategies on crop yield, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, and C sequestration efficiency (CSE) under various climate change scenarios (baseline, RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5). The process-based SPACSYS model was calibrated and validated using data from two representative Mollisol long-term experiments in Northeast China, including three crops (wheat, maize and soyabean) and four fertilizations (no-fertilizer (CK), mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), manure only (M), and chemical fertilizers plus M (NPKM or NM)). SPACSYS effectively simulated crop yields and the dynamics of SOC stock. According to SPACSYS projections, climate change, especially the increased temperature, is anticipated to reduce maize yield by an average of 14.5% in Harbin and 13.3% in Gongzhuling, and soybean yield by an average of 10.6%, across all the treatments and climatic scenarios. Conversely, a slight but not statistically significant average yield increase of 2.5% was predicted for spring wheat. SOC stock showed a decrease of 8.2% for Harbin and 7.6% for Gonghzuling by 2,100 under the RCP scenarios. Future climates also led to a reduction in CSE by an average of 6.0% in Harbin (except NPK) and 13.4% in Gongzhuling. In addition, the higher average crop yields, annual SOC stocks, and annual CSE (10.15–15.16%) were found when manure amendments were performed under all climate scenarios compared with the chemical fertilization. Soil CSE displayed an exponential decrease with the C accumulated input, asymptotically approaching a constant. Importantly, the CSE asymptote associated with manure application was higher than that of other treatments. Our findings emphasize the consequences of climate change on crop yields, SOC stock, and CSE in the Mollisol regions, identifying manure application as a targeted fertilizer practice for effective climate change mitigation.

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEAR REAL-TIME WARNING AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM FOR DISASTER PREDICTION

The effects of disasters are not uniform across all individuals and communities. One’s preparedness and socioeconomic factors determine how much they will pay. Preparedness plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of disasters and aiding in their management and recovery. However, effectively preparing for unforeseen disasters becomes difficult when there is insufficient knowledge and expertise. Without accurate predictions and timely alerts about disasters, a community's level of readiness remains extremely low. Namibia has experienced various unavoidable climate-related dangers over time, making it vulnerable in the future. Inconsistencies in disseminating weather information and early disaster notifications are factors that obstruct the mitigation of climate-related disasters. Furthermore, disaster early warning system implementation has been slower in most African countries due to limited technical resources. Another notable challenge is upholding internationally standardized early warning systems in rural settings without overlooking the dynamics of the rural community, which leads to system ineffectiveness. Therefore, this study employed a mixed-methodology approach to gather qualitative and quantitative data from local farmers through the use of questionnaires to review the readiness to adopt early warning systems in northern Namibia, assess available technical resources, study the existing disaster mitigation practices in Namibia. Subsequently, historic and near real time weather data was collected from weather agencies, which ultimately designed and developed an early warning system to enhance resilience and preparedness for hazards and risks in farming communities by issuing comprehensive and timely alerts. The study confirmed the dire need for disaster prediction systems in Namibia, although it also highlighted pressing accessibility concerns that future researchers could study, especially under-resourced potential users.

Navigating the unknown: assessing anthropogenic threats to beaked whales, family Ziphiidae.

This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)-a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales. By applying a comprehensive taxon-level analysis, we found evidence that all beaked whale species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate change, entanglement and plastic pollution being the most common threats documented across beaked whale species. Threats assessed as having a serious impact on individuals included whaling, military sonar, entanglement, depredation, vessel strikes, plastics and oil spills. This review emphasizes the urgent need for targeted research to address a range of uncertainties, including cumulative and population-level impacts. Understanding the evidence and pathways of the effects of stressors on individuals can support future assessments, guide practical mitigation strategies and advance current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on rare and elusive marine species.

Assessing environmental exposure to viruses in wastewater treatment plant and swine farm scenarios with next-generation sequencing and occupational risk approaches

Occupational exposure to pathogens can pose health risks. This study investigates the viral exposure of workers in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and a swine farm by analyzing aerosol and surfaces samples. Viral contamination was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, and target enrichment sequencing (TES) was performed to identify the vertebrate viruses to which workers might be exposed. Additionally, Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was conducted to estimate the occupational risk associated with viral exposure for WWTP workers, choosing Human Adenovirus (HAdV) as the reference pathogen. In the swine farm, QMRA was performed as an extrapolation, considering a hypothetical zoonotic virus with characteristics similar to Porcine Adenovirus (PAdV). The modelled exposure routes included aerosol inhalation and oral ingestion through contaminated surfaces and hand-to-mouth contact.HAdV and PAdV were widespread viruses in the WWTP and the swine farm, respectively, by qPCR assays. TES identified human and other vertebrate viruses WWTP samples, including viruses from families such as Adenoviridae, Circoviridae, Orthoherpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, and Parvoviridae. In the swine farm, most of the identified vertebrate viruses were porcine viruses belonging to Adenoviridae, Astroviridae, Circoviridae, Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Parvoviridae, Picornaviridae, and Retroviridae.QMRA analysis revealed noteworthy risks of viral infections for WWTP workers if safety measures are not taken. The probability of illness due to HAdV inhalation was higher in summer compared to winter, while the greatest risk from oral ingestion was observed in workspaces during winter. Swine farm QMRA simulation suggested a potential occupational risk in the case of exposure to a hypothetical zoonotic virus.This study provides valuable insights into WWTP and swine farm worker's occupational exposure to human and other vertebrate viruses. QMRA and NGS analyses conducted in this study will assist managers in making evidence-based decisions, facilitating the implementation of protection measures, and risk mitigation practices for workers.

Pharmacist Reported Protocols for QTc Monitoring of Psychiatric Medications.

Background Psychiatric medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, are associated with QTc interval prolongation. There is currently no consensus best practice on how to mitigate this risk. This study aimed to collect and analyze information about methods used for QTc monitoring in patients taking psychiatric medications to better understand current practice. Methods An anonymous electronic survey was distributed on September 22, 2022, using a national psychiatric pharmacist organization email list. The survey closed on December 15, 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the multiple-choice questions. Qualitative analysis applying grounded theory for thematic analysis was performed forfree response questions. Results A total of 48 initiated the survey. Of the respondents, 11.4% (5/44) reported that their institution had a formal protocol for monitoring QTc intervals in patients receiving psychiatric medications, while 32.4% (12/37) reported that their institution had an informal process. Out of those with a protocol or process, approximately half reported that it was drug-specific. Among the respondents, 88.6% (31/35) reported that there was a psychiatric clinical pharmacy specialist at their institutionand 34.3% (12/35) reported that pharmacists could order an electrocardiogram (ECG). Major themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis included pharmacist-driven QTc monitoring, referring the patient to another provider for monitoring, and encountering significant barriers to monitoring. Conclusion A variety of methodsare currently being employed to monitor QTc prolongation risk in patients taking psychiatric medications. Pharmacist authorization to order ECGs may be an opportunity to advance practice and improve care for this population. Further research is needed to more clearly understand best practices for QTc prolongation risk mitigation in patients receiving psychiatric medications.

Ocular Effects of MEK Inhibitor Therapy: Literature Review, Clinical Presentation, and Best Practices for Mitigation.

MEK signaling pathway targeting has emerged as a valuable addition to the options available for the treatment of advanced cancers including melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Ophthalmologic monitoring of patients taking part in clinical trials of MEK inhibitors has shown that while ocular effects are common, generally emerging during the first days to weeks of treatment, the majority are either asymptomatic or have minimal visual impact and are benign, resolving without intervention or the need to reduce or stop MEK inhibitor therapy. However rare cases of serious, potentially vision-threatening ocular toxicities have been reported during MEK inhibitor therapy. There is currently no recommendation for routine ophthalmologic screening or monitoring of patients with advanced cancer who are initiating MEK inhibitor therapy. However, baseline ophthalmologic examination may be useful for all patients initiating MEK inhibitor therapy to allow the differentiation of preexisting pathology versus the development of MEK inhibitor-associated retinopathy in the event of the emergence of symptomatic ocular events. Regular ophthalmologic examination may be appropriate for patients at increased risk for ocular events, such as patients with a history of ocular inflammation, infection, or underlying macular/retinal disease. All patients reporting visual disturbance should be referred for prompt ophthalmologic review to determine the potential seriousness of any underlying abnormalities and whether there is a need for treatment modification or specific intervention. Understanding the potential consequences of ocular toxicities is of particular importance in the context of decision-making for the continuation of potentially life-prolonging medications such as MEK inhibitors.

Drivers of adaptive capacity of rural women farmers: The role of climate action and information mediums in rural Ghana

AbstractGender‐differentiated roles, responsibilities, access, rights, and knowledge gaps shape women's vulnerability to climate change. This is especially critical for women farmers whose livelihoods are climate‐dependent. A key component in building women farmers’ resilience to climate change is deepening their adaptive capacity. Therefore, this research sought to measure the adaptive capacity of women farmers from two unique districts of Ghana using the sustainable livelihood capitals and investigate how access to climate information and the uptake of climate action can influence women's adaptive capacity. Rural women farmers (n = 497) were interviewed through a survey and supported with key informant interviews from six agricultural staff at the selected districts. The adaptive capacity of respondents was rated moderate at 0.405. Differences between the adaptive capacity of women from different agroecological zones (Dormaa East—0.422; East Gonja—0.388) were statistically insignificant (p &gt; 0.05). All climate information mediums except the TV medium had a significant prediction on women farmers’ adaptive capacity. The odds of a decreasing relationship of predictor variables, such as extension officer medium, radio, and adaptation action, require strategic structuring to accrue holistic benefit. The study thus recommends deepening women's benefit from extension services by attracting and retaining female extensionists, while training extensionists on tailored techniques for engaging female farmers. Again, extensionists who report high outreach to female farmers should be incentivized. Traditional and modern Information and Communication Technology mediums must be explored and integrated as alternatives. Co‐benefit practices for both adaptation and mitigation should be encouraged among women farmers to deepen climate action.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, AWARENESS, AND PRACTICES OF RESIDENTS WITHIN RIVERINE FLOODING-AFFECTED AREAS IN DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES

Awareness and preparedness of residents living in accident-prone areas is imperative to avoid losing lives and properties. This is the case for the people living in riverines frequented by flood; they must be well-informed, prepared, and quick to repair the damages after the incident. It is the main reason the study was conducted, particularly about the levels of disaster preparedness, awareness adaptation, and mitigation practices of residents within riverine flooding-affected areas in Davao City. Four hundred residents along the riverine in Davao City were surveyed, and the data gathered were treated using statistical tools such as Mean, Pearson r, and Multiple Regressions. The result of the study disclosed that the residents of riverine flood-affected areas in Davao City rated their disaster preparedness as very high, as well as their disaster awareness, indicating that they are prepared and well-informed about the effects of floods. They also rated their adapting behavior and mitigation high, showing they knew how to adjust to their situation. Disaster preparedness is correlated to adaptation and mitigation; also, disaster awareness is correlated with adaptation and mitigation. The indicator of disaster awareness, namely flooding risk, strongly influences adaptation and mitigation. The implication of the study concerns the city government's action of relocating the people living in the area to avoid disastrous events.

Causes and Mitigation Practices of Requirement Volatility in Agile Software Development

One of the main obstacles in software development projects is requirement volatility (RV), which is defined as uncertainty or changes in software requirements during the development process. Therefore, this research tries to understand the underlying factors behind the RV and the best practices to reduce it. The methodology used for this research is based upon qualitative research using interviews with 12 participants with experience in agile software development projects. The participants hailed from Austria, Nigeria, the USA, the Philippines, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Germany, Egypt, Canada, and Turkey and held roles such as project managers, software developers, Scrum Masters, testers, business analysts, and product owners. Our findings based on our empirical data revealed six primary factors that cause RV and three main agile practices that help to mitigate it. Theoretically, this study contributes to the body of knowledge relating to RV management. Practically, this research is expected to aid software development teams in comprehending the reasons behind RV and the best practices to effectively minimize it.

Soil Carbon: Pool, Loss, Emission and Climate Change Sources and Knowledge Level of Some Land Use Systems in Sudan Savanna, Kwara State

This research work was carried out in Sudan savanna of Kwara State to determine the effects of land use types on soil carbon pool, loss, emission and to determine the farmer’s knowledge level and sources of information on climate change. Six villages were selected randomly and in each Local Government Area, three villages were visited and three farms planted each with maize/cassava intercrop, cashew plantation and natural forest were sampled. Soil samples were collected from the farmland randomly at the depth of 0–20cm and analysed for physical and chemical properties in the laboratory. Carbon pool index was higher under cashew plantation. The mass of carbon lost recorded was higher under maize/cassava intercrop and cashew plantation recorded the lowest mass of carbon lost. Equivalent Carbon dioxide emitted recorded was lower under cashew plantation and maize/cassava intercrop recorded higher equivalent of carbon dioxide emitted. Natural forest had the highest organic carbon. Simple random sampling of 126 respondents were interviewed. Results revealed majority (71.4%) are willing to invest in residue retention and 92.9% are willing to engage in climate change mitigation practices free of charge. Maize/cassava intercrop recorded the lowest carbon pool due to burning of plant residues and the use of tillage practices. The highest carbon pool index recorded under cashew plantation was due to leaves litter decomposition. Carbon emitted was generally higher under maize/cassava intercrop as a result of continuous and vigorous cultivation leading to loss of carbon. Some farmers are not fully aware of climate change mitigation practices, therefore, more observation should be given to afforestation scheme to mitigate climate change and government and nongovernmental organization (NGOs) should educate and encourage farmers to practice crop residue retention and also minimize bush burning.

Unveiling the Symphony of Economic Policies on Corporate Financial Performance: A Quantitative Revelation through SMARTPLS Analysis

This research investigates the influence of economic stimulus policy, fiscal policy, and the solvency risk of companies on their financial performance. Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study adopts regression analysis through SMARTPLS to analyze the data. Primary data for the variables - impact of economic stimulus policy, solvency risk of companies, and fiscal policy - were gathered, along with secondary data over a five-year period pertaining to the financial performance variable. The dataset was derived from 26 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). The findings reveal that both economic stimulus policy and fiscal policy exert a positive and significant effect on financial performance. In contrast, the solvency risk of companies does not exhibit a significant impact. This outcome suggests that while macroeconomic policies facilitate an environment conducive to financial growth, the internal risk management and financial structuring of a company play a critical role in leveraging these external benefits. The study underscores the importance of strategic internal management and effective risk mitigation practices in enhancing and sustaining financial performance amidst varying economic policies.

Uncovering Factors and Solutions to Gender Inequity in the Workplace

With differences in income, promotion, and opportunity continuing to impede progress toward workplace equality, persistent gender inequality in the workplace remains a major concern. The study examines at the complex interplay of factors that cause gender inequality, from cultural standards to organizational biases. A qualitative methodology is used to assess the data from various workplaces. The survey found significant gender differences in pay, representation in leadership roles, and access to professional development opportunities. Additionally, it shows how biases and cultural norms support the upkeep of these disparities. To address these issues, the research proposes a multifaceted approach that includes changes to the law, initiatives for diversity and inclusion, and tactics for personal empowerment. The study can improve society overall and create a more just workplace by putting these solutions into reality. This research explains the problem of gender inequality in the workplace and offers practical mitigation measures. By promoting more inclusive and egalitarian professional environments, we may foster the circumstances for a more just and progressive society.

Pre-Transplantation Strategies for Infectious Disease Mitigation and Prevention.

Pediatric Infectious Disease (ID) clinicians play a critical role in helping prevent and mitigate infectious risks in children peri- and post-transplantation. Prevention starts during the pre-transplant evaluation and persists throughout the solid organ transplant and hematopoietic cell transplant continuum. The pre-transplant evaluation is an opportunity to screen for latent infections, plan preventative strategies, optimize immunizations, and discuss risk mitigation practices. An ideal pre-transplant evaluation establishes a relationship with the family that further promotes post-transplant infectious risk reduction. This manuscript builds on shared pediatric ID prevention strategies, introduces updated ID testing recommendations for transplant donors/candidates, highlights emerging data, and identifies ongoing knowledge gaps that are potential areas of research.

Human extreme heat protective behaviours: the effects of physical risks, psychological perception, and public measures

Individual actions can mitigate the consequences of extreme heat. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of protective behaviours against extreme heat is critical. Although extreme heat protective behaviours have been widely mentioned, the roles of psychological risk perception and public restraint are poorly understood. In this study, we developed a physical-measure-psychosocial model (PMP) to reveal the intrinsic motivation for protective behaviours during extreme heat based on a nationwide survey in China (n = 1791). The results showed that (1) high levels of physical risk perception promote outdoor, indoor, and traffic protective behaviours. Psychological risk perception is positively associated with outdoor and indoor protective behaviours but is not significantly associated with traffic protective behaviour. (2) There are differences in the main paths from heat exposure to outdoor, indoor, and traffic protective behaviours. The indirect effect controlled by physical risk is the main path from exposure to outdoor and traffic protective behaviours, while the direct effect of heat exposure is the strongest pathway for indoor protective behaviour. (3) Enhanced facility conditions are linked to reduced physical risk and psychological risk perception. Subsidies have a significant effect on traffic protective behaviour, and warnings significantly affect outdoor protective behaviour. The direct effect of warning systems on outdoor protective behaviour is greater than the indirect effect mediated by psychological risk perception. (4) Multigroup analysis based on structural equation models revealed a certain degree of robustness among the different gender, age, education level, and income level groups. This study enables us to understand the underlying mechanisms of extreme heat behaviours and support policy-makers in effective mitigation practices.

Mitigation Practices on Shift Changes in the Oil Sector at Ciudad del Carmen

Mitigation Practices on Shift Changes in the Oil Sector at Ciudad del Carmen

Human-elephant conflict in the African rainforest landscape: crop-raiding situations and damage mitigation strategies in rural Gabon

While the conservation of forest elephants is a global concern, human-elephant conflict (HEC), especially crop-raiding by elephants, is a serious threat to both human livelihoods and conservation efforts. However, only a few studies have explored elephant crop-raiding and related damage mitigation strategies in Central Africa’s forest landscapes, which are characterized by low human and high animal densities and shifting cultivation practices. This study investigates HEC in rural Gabon, where human activities are limited, and local livelihoods are severely threatened by crop-raiding elephants. Through long-term ethnographic research and an in-depth analysis of damage mitigation practices by local people, the study unveils serious crop-raiding by elephants, leading to a significant change in the local lifestyle. Most households spend the majority of days in the field protecting crops, resulting in the village becoming almost empty. In addition to the physical burden of staying in poor living conditions, there is a considerable psychological burden for local people. Establishing effective elephant conservation systems requires understanding each local situation and evaluating the various costs to local people. To sustain livelihoods and address the challenge of HEC, it is crucial for local communities and various stakeholders to act collectively.

Tipología de unidades de producción y tecnologías pecuarias de adaptación a la sequía en Sinaloa, México

Drought as an effect of climate change affects the productivity and sustainability of livestock systems. The objective of this study was to analyze how technological land management for adaptation to climate change adopted by livestock farmers in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, corresponds to the typologies identified in the study area. A non-probabilistic sampling was applied, selecting 50 production units (UP) in six municipalities of Sinaloa, whose information was analyzed by cluster analysis and descriptive statistics. It were identified three livestock typologies. Cluster 1 (46 %), was defined as subsistence since its production units (PU) has few animals and showed the smallest total surface area, the producers are the oldest and use the shade in paddocks and the adjustment of stocking rates as drought mitigation practices. Cluster 2 (46 %), sowed the medium productive behavior, are younger producers whose PU showed the largest area of crops and rangeland, this group adopted stocking rate adjustment, forage conservation and species diversification as mitigation measures. Cluster 3 (8 %) showed the highest total area, livestock inventory and productivity levels; drought mitigation decisions are focused on stocking rate adjustment and forage conservation. The study identified mitigation practices related to land use from the farmers' point of view. These results can be used to conduct studies in similar environments and to scale adaptation measures for climate change from the local level and by type of farmer.

Engaging with Nature in Times of Rapid Environmental Change: Vulnerability, Sentience, and Autonomy

Increasingly rapid environmental changes since the middle of the 20th century pose a significant challenge for vulnerable human populations. North American Native people from the Northwest Coast, as many other indigenous populations around the globe, have conceived landscapes as sentient, and capable of responding to human action. The consequent “social responsibility” taken for landscape is explored in the context of vulnerability to rapid environmental change. The basis for respect that underlies this sense of responsibility, and its significance for addressing human vulnerability to nature’s agency, through more adequate practices of mitigation and adaptation, is discussed. It is concluded that we face an imperative to reconceive the agency of natural phenomena.