Assessing ``inherent vulnerability'' of forests: a methodological approach and a case study from Western Ghats, India

Sharma, Jagmohan and Chaturvedi, Rajiv Kumar and Bala, G and Ravindranath, NH (2015) Assessing ``inherent vulnerability'' of forests: a methodological approach and a case study from Western Ghats, India. In: MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR GLOBAL CHANGE, 20 (4). pp. 573-590.

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to present a methodological approach to assess the inherent vulnerability of forests and apply it to a case study. Addressing inherent vulnerability, resulting from current stresses, is a necessary step for building resilience to long-term climate change. The proposed approach includes use of analytical framework that enables selection of vulnerability criteria and indicators systematically, application of pairwise comparison method (PCM) for assigning weights, and synthesis of a composite vulnerability index. This methodological approach has been applied at local scale to Aduvalli Protected Forest in Western Ghats in South India, where a vulnerability index value of 0.248 is estimated. Results of the case study indicate that `preponderance of invasive species' and forest dependence of community are the major sources of vulnerability at present for Aduvalli Protected Forest. Adoption of this methodology can assist in development of forest management plans to enhance adaptability of Aduvalli PF to current as well as future stresses, including climate change. This methodological approach can be applied across forest-types after appropriate changes to criteria and indicators and their weights, to estimate the inherent vulnerability to enable development of adaptation strategy.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR GLOBAL CHANGE
Publisher:	SPRINGER
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the SPRINGER, VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS
Keywords:	Criteria and indicators; Forest restoration; Inherent vulnerability; Vulnerability assessment; Vulnerability source mechanism
Department/Centre:	Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Center for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP) Division of Mechanical Sciences > Divecha Centre for Climate Change Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Sustainable Technologies (formerly ASTRA)
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2015 10:54
Last Modified:	20 Apr 2015 10:54
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/51278

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