Relative Vulnerability Index Research Articles

A macroplastic vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai‘i

Plastic pollution is having devastating consequences for marine organisms across the planet. However, the population level effects of macroplastic pollution remain difficult and costly to quantify. As a result, there is a need for alternative approaches to evaluate species risk to plastic pollution and inform management needs. We apply a trait-based framework for macroplastic pollution to develop a relative vulnerability index—informed by three dimensions: likelihood of exposure, species' sensitivity, and population resilience—for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles found in Hawai‘i. This index ranks 63 study species based on their population level vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, with the highest scoring species being the most vulnerable. Our results indicate that ducks, waders, and noddies with large populations were the least vulnerable to macroplastics, while the most vulnerable were the Hawaiian monk seal, sea turtles, baleen whales, and some albatross and petrel species. This index can inform species in need of population monitoring in Hawai'i, and direct other management priorities (e.g., locations for clean-ups or booms). More broadly, this work exemplifies the value of qualitative risk assessment approaches for better understanding the population level effects of macroplastic pollution and showcases how vulnerability indices can be used to inform management priorities.

Assessment of urban population health resilience guided by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: A case study of Henan Province

Resilience and vulnerability thinking are commonly used to study urban systems, but few apply both to urban population health research. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate urban population health resilience (UPHR) from both positive and negative perspectives by combining resilience and vulnerability thinking, and to explore the current situation and influencing factors of UPHR. We constructed a comprehensive resilience index and a relative vulnerability index for urban population health by using a socio-economic-demographic-environmental complex system (SEDECE) and a pressure-state-response (PSR) model. We used a combination of four methods, including entropy weight method (EWM), the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC), simple additive weighting (SAW), and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), to ensure the robustness of the indices. Finally, the effectiveness and practicality of the index by studying the spatial relationship and correlation between the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVD) and the index in 122 counties of Henan Province. The results show that the indicators and calculation methods are robust and effective, and the comprehensive resilience index and vulnerability index reflect the resilience of urban population health from positive and negative perspectives, respectively, and emphasize the important role of air quality in both indices. In addition, urbanization rate, health facilities, medical and social security, and the proportion of elderly population have a greater contribution to the comprehensive resilience index (CRI), and industrial structure has a greater impact on the relative vulnerability index (RVI). This study can provide reference for relevant regions to improve the resilience of their population health and reduce health pressure.

Heterogeneity in Spatial Inequities in COVID-19 Vaccination Across 16 Large US Cities.

Differences in vaccination coverage can perpetuate COVID-19 disparities. We explored the association between neighborhood-level social vulnerability and COVID-19 vaccination coverage in 16 large US cities from the beginning of the vaccination campaign in December 2020 through September 2021. We calculated the proportion of fully vaccinated adults in 866 zip code tabulation areas (ZCTA) of 16 large US cities: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose (CA); Chicago (IL); Indianapolis (IN); Minneapolis (MN); New York City (NY); Philadelphia (PA); and Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio (TX). We computed absolute and relative total and Social Vulnerability Index(SVI)-related inequities by city. COVID-19 vaccination coverage was 0.75 times (95% CI 0.69-0.81) or 16% (95% CI 12.1-20.2%) percentage points lower in neighborhoods with the highest social vulnerability as compared to those with the lowest. These inequities were heterogeneous, with cities in the West region generally displaying narrower inequities in both the absolute and relative scales. The SVI domains of socioeconomic status and household composition & disability showed the strongest associations with vaccination coverage. Inequities in COVID-19 vaccinations hamper efforts to achieve health equity, as they mirror and could lead to even wider inequities in other COVID-19 outcomes.

Tsunami Vulnerability Evaluation for a Small Ancient Village on Eastern Sicily Coast

The Ionian sea is prone to tsunamis due to its proximity to the Calabrian subduction zone, which is one of the major tsunamigenic areas of the Mediterranean. The tsunami disaster risk is, nowadays, significantly higher due to the increased exposure of buildings as a result of the economic and touristic growth of the Mediterranean coastal areas. This study focuses on Marzamemi, a small village in the western coast of Sicily, since its morphology and human presence amplify the need to assess its buildings’ vulnerability. The main objective of this research is to quantify the building vulnerability to tsunami hazards using a physical and realistic tsunami scenario. For this purpose, the relative vulnerability index of the buildings in Marzamemi was calculated by means of an improved Papathoma Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA) model. The presented approach has three main improvements: (a) a probabilistic tsunami scenario was used; (b) a realistic signal of water surface linked with a specific focal mechanism was adopted; (c) a tsunami wave was propagated from offshore to nearshore using a nonlinear numerical model. The good results of the proposed methodology make it very useful for coastal risk planning conducted by decision makers and stakeholders.

A census-based housing vulnerability index for typhoon hazards in the Philippines

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction recognises housing as an important element of vulnerability, however, there remains limited understanding of how sub-national housing vulnerability varies spatially. This research sought to develop a municipal-level housing vulnerability index for typhoon hazards, applied at a national scale in the Philippines. We first selected 25 housing vulnerability indicators from the 2015 Philippines census, which were reduced into seven underlying dimensions of typhoon-related housing vulnerability using principal component analysis: housing density, housing quality, crowdedness, tenure security, extreme substandard housing, drinking water source, and structural integrity. These components were then aggregated to create a relative housing vulnerability index. We applied spatial clustering analysis to test for patterns, finding increasing housing vulnerability from north to south, with nuance in municipalities that defy these national trends. Our results offer a more granular view of housing vulnerability which may assist in unpacking how localised housing conditions contribute to disaster risk and assist researchers and government agencies in targeting disaster interventions.

Groundwater vulnerability mapping using the Susceptibility Index (SI) method: Case study of Takelsa aquifer, Northeastern Tunisia

The Takelsa phreatic aquifer currently shows stress signs and the contamination risk of groundwater by different chemical elements and pesticides is a likely concern. Here we assessed the aquifer vulnerability using the Susceptibility Index (SI) method, considered as a specific vulnerability method that takes into consideration the impact of land uses chemical fertilizers, anthropogenic activities and natural factors as a source of contaminants in groundwater. WetSpass and MODFLOW models were applied to quantify groundwater recharge and water table depth, the two of the most important parameters in groundwater vulnerability mapping.The obtained recharge map for 2015 showed values ranging between 0 and 342 mm/year with an average value of 111 mm/yr, corresponding to about 16% of the annual average rainfall. Regarding the groundwater flow model and for a steady and transient state, a reasonable correlation between the observed and simulated values was obtained confirming that results can be used to establish the vulnerability map.The Susceptibility Index (SI) results showed that the groundwater vulnerability of the studied aquifer ranges from low to very high. Most of the area (90%) has moderate to very high pollution susceptibility mainly due to low slope, agricultural land, high recharge rate, sandy soil dominance and low water table depth. The validation of the obtained map was undertaken through a comparison of areas of high salinity hazard with their relative vulnerability index. For most wells, the different salinity hazard parameters matched with areas of moderate to high vulnerability.The integration between the SI method and WetSpass and MODFLOW models for the study area is a valuable and applicable approach for the assessment of the groundwater vulnerability.

Cuantificación de la vulnerabilidad humana ante la degradación del aire en Madrid: un estudio apoyado en geotecnologías

El concepto de vulnerabilidad humana está resultando muy fértil para desvelar dificultades sociales latentes y para inspirar intervenciones proactivas, inherentes a un desarrollo territorial más completo. Dentro de ese campo interdisciplinar este estudio pretende: a) identificar aspectos e indicadores para expresar la vulnerabilidad socio-ambiental, particularmente ante la degradación del aire; y b) construir medidas de la misma idóneas para el ámbito español, usando como caso de estudio la ciudad de Madrid. A tal fin se ha acometido la selección y valoración de facetas e indicadores relevantes mediante la técnica Delphi. Tras una exploración de las relaciones entre dichos indicadores con un análisis de componentes principales, se ha adoptado un promedio ponderado de aquéllos para generar un índice de vulnerabilidad relativa primero y, después, una estimación de la vulnerabilidad absoluta por barrios de la ciudad, que desvelan las notables diferencias internas. Un sistema de información geográfica ha sustentado el tratamiento y análisis espacial de los datos, así como la visualización de los resultados, los cuales ofrecen mejores bases para orientar políticas de protección a los residentes de los barrios más vulnerables de la ciudad.

Coastal vulnerability assessment using GIS-Based multicriteria analysis of Alexandria-northwestern Nile Delta, Egypt

This study intends to map the relative coastal vulnerability index (CVI) for the administrative governorates of Alexandria and adjacent Behera in the northwestern coastal margin of the Nile delta. In addition to other common environmental stresses, these governorates are under threat due to accelerated sea level rise induced from climate change. Of special interest is that the coastal margin of the study area is characterized by markedly constructing geology, morpho-dynamics and land surface topography that varies from low-lying (−3 m below MSL) to high land (~20 m height). Therefore, nine physical and geological variables influencing the vulnerability of the coast are used in this study, including land elevation, seabed/beach composition, beach type (dissipative to reflective), relative sea level, historical shoreline change, tidal range, significant wave height, shore protection measures, and land cover. Results obtained from performing multi-criteria analysis of GIS indicates that about 16.58%, 15.45, 42.03%, 18.16 and 7.78% of the shoreline is under very high, high, moderate, low and very low vulnerability respectively. Of great concern is that although the low-lying broad depression (−1 to −3 m below MSL) east and southeast of Alexandria is protected now by a combination of natural shore-parallel elevated ridges (up to 10 m) and artificial shore-parallel detached structures, it is likely to be accidently flooded by unexpected extreme storm or tsunami events at the lowest waterfront points.

VULNERABILIDAD FÍSICA EN LAS EDIFICACIONES DEL SECTOR DE BOCAGRANDE, CARTAGENA DE INDIAS; ANTE UN EVENTO DE TSUNAMI.

Los tsunamis se encuentran entre los fenómenos naturales más devastadores y poco frecuentes, resultado de una perturbación submarina que irrumpe en la zona costera. Sin embargo, la investigación científica en el mar caribe con respecto a estos eventos es menor debido a su ocurrencia inusual si es comparado con el océano pacífico. Se evaluó la vulnerabilidad física de 305 edificaciones del sector de Bocagrande; una zona notable a nivel socioeconómico y turístico; implementando el modelo Papathoma Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA4) el cual ha sido analizado y validado obteniendo estudios satisfactorios. Asimismo, por medio de la aplicación móvil survey 123 for ArcGIS se recolectó la información pertinente, representando los resultados en mapas temáticos con base a sistemas de información geográficos. Se pudo determinar el índice de vulnerabilidad relativa de cada edificación, aportando una herramienta para futuras toma de decisiones e implementación por parte de autoridades locales.

An assessment of building vulnerability to a tsunami in the Galle coastal area, Sri Lanka

Tsunami vulnerability assessment is the initial step for effective planning and implementation of tsunami risk reduction. Whilst the high tsunami risk of the Galle coastal area is well known, the structural vulnerability to tsunami hazards has never been assessed. This paper presents tsunami vulnerability for structures, relative vulnerability indexes, and vulnerable areas in Galle city, Sri Lanka. To develop the relative vulnerability index map, data on 705 buildings in terms of attributes of the building, protection of the building, and depth of the water flow at the building location were obtained from field surveys. The results of the structural vulnerability assessment show that if the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami were to occur today, 35% of the buildings would be affected in the Galle coastal area and when we consider the 100 m buffer zone, this value increases to 56%. Buildings with minor vulnerability constituted around only 3% inside the 100 m buffer zone.

Establishing factors of building vulnerability towards tsunami hazard

The objective of this article is to establish the attributes (factors) of building vulnerability towards tsunami hazard, particularly for areas in Padang, Indonesia, as well as those areas with the same characteristics. Within this framework, this study informs the progress towards a more systematic approach to factor development for a Relative Vulnerability Index (RVI) score for assessing the building vulnerability towards tsunami hazard. The RVI score is used to predict tsunami risk zones on building vulnerability. The analysis was conducted to develop the factors that influence the building vulnerability. Developing factors of the building vulnerability to tsunami hazard is a key aspect for assessing the RVI, as their result may misguide local decision-makers to act adequately concerning the local risk if they are based on an inappropriate set of factors. These factors were classified under three distinct groups: 1) internal factors; 2) external factors and 3) water inundation factor. The selection of factors are based on the building and the location characteristics. Therefore, the factors that may influence the risk were listed. Based on the kinds of literature and opinion of practitioners/experts, several imperative factors that affect the risk were identified and studied. The factors were tabulated and were sorted from highest to lowest numbers. Based on the tabulation of these factors, the summary of analysis results for internal factors are: construction material; the number of stories; foundation type; date of the building; preservation condition; ground floor hydrodynamic; shape and orientation of the building. Furthermore, based on the tabulation results for external data factors and tsunami inundation factor, the external factors are: movable object; building row; height of concrete fence; natural barrier; distance from the coastline; distance from the river; obstacle islands and gap between building attributes and water inundation factor is tsunami inundation depth.

Landscape Based Agricultural Water Demand Modeling—A Tool for Water Management Decision Making in British Columbia, Canada

Regional water managers face challenges managing water demand and supply in response to climate change. In British Columbia (BC), less than 5% of the total land surface is suitable for cultivation and consequently, urban development and agriculture co-exist on lower elevation sites and compete for water. Surface and ground water supply all uses, affecting in-stream habitats and aquifer levels. To assess water needs, we used a GIS-based water demand model for agricultural water use, with layers for detailed land use, soils, a digital elevation model, sub-basins, aquifers, and socio-political jurisdictional boundaries. The model was driven by gridded daily minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation at a 500m spatial resolution using historical data (1961-2010) and downscaled climate scenarios (1961-2100) derived from five CMIP5 climate models under two greenhouse gas concentration scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Two case studies were examined: 1. Changes in water use were determined for scenarios of climate change and expanded cropping within the BC Agricultural Land Reserve for 17 agricultural regions. Potential increases in irrigation water demand (IWD) in response to climate change ranged from 21-58% and 30-114% under low and high emissions scenarios respectively. Land use change scenarios resulted in very large potential increases in water demand, up to 2400%. Output from this work forms the basis for a web-based agricultural water licence calculator. 2. Effects of crop production systems on IWD were examined in the Okanagan region. Combinations of pasture and forage crops with inefficient irrigation systems were most vulnerable to drought as indicated by two indices: relative vulnerability index (IWD/ETo) and allocation vulnerability index (IWD/Maximum annual water allocation). In drought years, up to 70% of the irrigated area was vulnerable. A comparison of detailed land use surveys made in 2006 and 2014 indicated a large shift to highly efficient irrigation systems in the horticultural sector from 38% to 68% of the irrigated acreage. Similar shifts for other agricultural sectors may require financial support. On-going development of regional drought management will require collaborative decision making by water suppliers and users.

Spatial Vulnerability of Network Systems under Spatially Local Hazards.

A hazard is often spatially local in a network system, but its impact can spread out through network topology and become global. To qualitatively and quantitatively assess the impact of spatially local hazards on network systems, this article develops a new spatial vulnerability model by taking into account hazard location, area covered by hazard, and impact of hazard (including direct impact and indirect impact), and proposes an absolute spatial vulnerability index (ASVI) and a relative spatial vulnerability index (RSVI). The relationship between the new model and some relevant traditional network properties is also analyzed. A case study on the spatial vulnerability of the Chinese civil aviation network system is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model, and another case study on the Beijing subway network system to verify its relationship with traditional network properties.

Development of a Relative Vulnerability Index (RVI) for Estimation of Building Vulnerability towards Tsunami Hazard

Tsunami hazard is an adverse event, which causes damage to properties and loss of life. The study on the effects of tsunami hazard on building vulnerability can help establish and improve the resilience of the building. The problem in assessing the building vulnerability towards tsunami hazard is significant whereby available models for assessing the risk are not applicable for buildings in Padang, Indonesia. The study developed a new Relative Vulnerability Index (RVI) model to estimate building vulnerability for assessment the risk. Literature review was carried out with regards to model development. The model was grouped in two categories of vulnerability, namely the Water Inundation (WI) and the Building Vulnerability (BV). The water inundation comprises tsunami inundation factor. Then, the building bulnerability consists of both internal and external factors. Contribution of each factor is 1/3 or 33.33% of the overall weighting of the new RVI scores. The new RVI model has applied a formula of 1/3 water (tsunami) inundation factor + 1/3 internal factor + 1/3 external factor. The total value of all weights put together should be equal to 100. To use the model, it is necessary to investigate two internal and external factors based on the characteristics of a building and specific geographichal feature of an area. In conclusion, this study has successfully developed a new RVI model for building vulnerability towards tsunamis. In comparison to other approaches, the model offers an adaptable methodology for the characteristics of the buildings and spesific geographical features of the area.

An improved model considering traditional network properties to assess spatial vulnerability of a network system

ABSTRACTWe have recently reported a new spatial vulnerability model, which proposed two important curves (i.e., impact curve and neutral curve) and two quantified indices (i.e., absolute spatial vulnerability index and relative spatial vulnerability index) to assess the global impact of spatially local hazards on network systems (Li et al. 2015). This paper aims to further investigate and improve the practicability of the new spatial vulnerability model. As some traditional network properties, such as the shortest path, betweenness and connectivity, are often used to assess the vulnerability of network systems, this paper develops a methodology of applying traditional network properties to analyze the spatial vulnerability of network systems. To this end, we firstly describe the new spatial vulnerability model, then analyze its relationship with traditional network properties, and at last conduct a case study on the Beijing subway network to verify this relationship. The results show that, when the global impact of spatially local hazards on network systems is concerned in vulnerability assessment, the combination of some traditional network properties and the new spatial vulnerability model can deliver an effective approach.

Assessing building vulnerability to tsunami using the PTVA-3 model: A case study of Chabahar Bay, Iran

Chabahar Bay, in southeastern Iran, lies at the north of the Gulf of Oman and close to the Makran Subduction Zone, which makes it a region that is susceptible to tsunamis. This bay has an increasingly important role in Iran’s international trade, and therefore the assessment of the regional vulnerability to the effects of a tsunami is vital. Based on both the details of historical events and the results of numerical modeling of the propagation pattern of a tsunami in this region, this study assessed the vulnerability of buildings within the Chabahar Bay region to a tsunami event. The Papathoma Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA) model was used to calculate a relative vulnerability index (RVI) for the affected buildings based on their physical and structural characteristics. The results showed that in a postulated worst-case-scenario tsunami event in the Chabahar Bay area, approximately 60 % of the residential buildings would be affected, a level of damage that is categorized as “Average” in the RVI classification. Overall, the economic losses related to the damage of residential buildings due to a tsunami in the Chabahar Bay area are anticipated to be the equivalent of US$ 16.5 million.

A New Quantitative Method for Studying the Vulnerability of Civil Aviation Network System to Spatially Localized Hazards

As an important infrastructure system, civil aviation network system can be severely affected by natural hazards. Although a natural hazard is usually local, its impact, through the network topology, can become global. Inspired by Wilkinson’s work in 2012, this article proposes a new quantitative spatial vulnerability model for network systems, which emphasizes the spreading impact of spatially localized hazards on these systems. This model considers hazard location and area covered by a hazard, and spatially spreading impact of the hazard (including direct impact and indirect impact through network topology) and proposes an absolute spatial vulnerability index and a relative spatial vulnerability index to reflect the vulnerability of a network system to local hazards. The model is then applied to study the spatial vulnerability of the Chinese civil aviation network system. The simulation results show that (1) the proposed model is effective and useful to study spatial vulnerability of civil aviation network systems as the results well explain the general situation of the Chinese civil aviation system; and (2) the Chinese civil aviation network system is highly vulnerable to local hazards when indirect impacts through network connections are considered.

A District Level Assessment of Vulnerability of Indian Agriculture to Climate Change

Assessing vulnerability to climate change and variability is an important first step in evolving appropriate adaptation strategies to changing climate. Such an analysis also helps in targeting adaptation investments, specific to more vulnerable regions. Adopting the definition of vulnerability given by IPCC, vulnerability was assessed for 572 rural districts of India. Thirty eight indicators reflecting sensitivity, adaptive capacity and exposure were chosen to construct the composite vulnerability index. Climate projections of the PRECIS model for A1B scenario for the period 2021-2050 were considered to capture the future climate. The data on these indicators were normalized based on the nature of relationship. They were then combined into three indices for sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity, which were then averaged with weights given by experts, to obtain the relative vulnerability index. Based on the index, all the districts were divided into five categories with equal number of districts. One more district was added to 'very high' and 'high' categories. The analysis showed that districts with higher levels of vulnerability are located in the western and peninsular India. It is also observed that the highly fertile Indo-Gangetic Plains are relatively more sensitive, but less vulnerable because of higher adaptive capacity and lower exposure.

Aquifer vulnerability and seawater intrusion risk using GALDIT, GQISWI and GIS: case of a coastal aquifer in Tunisia

Due to increase in population and agricultural activities, the Sfax coastal aquifer is under tremendous stress and seawater intrusion becomes a serious concern. This situation needs an assessment of aquifer vulnerability and seawater intrusion risk. A new approach for vulnerability mapping using GALDIT, groundwater quality index for seawater intrusion (GQISWI), geostatistics, the Ghyben–Herzberg model and GIS was developed. The model is used to determine the trend of groundwater contamination by seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifer in Sfax basin (Tunisia). Vulnerability assessment method is recognized through assessing weight and ratings of the GALDIT relevant parameter. A second vulnerability map was realized based upon the groundwater quality index for seawater intrusion integrating the water quality parameters for delineating seawater intrusion in the aquifer. The validation of GQISWI and GALDIT vulnerability maps was undertaken through comparison of areas of high Jones Ratio, chloride and TDS concentration and their relative vulnerability index. The Ghyben–Herzberg model has been used to predict the actual seawater intrusion extend and evaluate the freshwater–saltwater dynamics. The results reveal that the coastal area is currently undergoing seawater intrusion and its northern part is the most affected one by this contamination.

Cannibalism in Two Subtropical Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as a Function of Density, Life Stage, and Food Supply

Cannibalism is an important factor influencing both immature survival and adult reproductive success in aphidophagous lady beetles. This study employed three series of laboratory experiments to characterize life stage-specific cannibalism responses of Coccinella undecimpunctata L. and Cydonia vicina nilotica Mulsant to 1) different conspecific densities, with and without prey, 2) other life stages, and 3) various densities of prey, Myzus persicae Sulzer. All larval instars of both species cannibalized more in the absence of prey than in its presence at all conspecific densities, but in general, cannibalism increased with conspecific density only in the absence of prey, and more strongly for third and fourth instar C. undecimpunctata than for their C. vicina nilotica counterparts. Adults contributed the most cannibalism of any life stage, and eggs were the most vulnerable. In addition to cannibalizing their own and earlier instars, second and third instar C. undecimpunctata sometimes cannibalized third and fourth instars, respectively, and fourth instars occasionally ate pupae. Larvae of C. vicina nilotica were only preyed upon by the same or later stages and pupae, by adults, not fourth instars. A relative vulnerability index was calculated for each life stage based on its net vulnerability to cannibalism by all life stages and plotting these indices revealed species-specific patterns of diminishing vulnerability to cannibalism as a function of life stage. Relative species vulnerability to cannibalism, considering all life stages, was higher for C. undecimpunctata (0.55) than for C. vicina nilotica (0.45). Finally, linear regression was used to characterize the change in propensity for cannibalism between same-instar larval pairs as a function of prey density, which enabled determination of a theoretical upper prey threshold for each larval instar, i.e., the prey density beyond which no cannibalism would be expected. In both species, regressions for third and fourth instars did not intercept the X-axis, suggesting that some cannibalism by these stages was inevitable within the range of prey densities tested.