Vulnerability of Natural Ecosystems to Climate Change with Special emphasis on Agriculture

Abstract

Vulnerability, an important phenomenon related to susceptibility of an area has become significant component in the area of climate change. The present work attempted to examine the vulnerability of Gujarat ecosystem components with special emphasis on agriculture to climate change by developing a vulnerability index and comparing vulnerability indicators across twenty-five districts of the state. A series of maps have been constructed using a Geographic Information System (GIS), taking the district as a spatial unit of analysis. Fifteen indicators (environmental and socio-economic indicators) were compiled, normalized, scaled, weighted, and mapped. Furthermore, these indicators were integrated with a spatial unit i.e. a district, to reflect three categories of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The results highlighted that any one or two components of vulnerability contribute more towards vulnerability of biotic as well as abiotic components in the districts. Percentage of districts affected by one and two components of vulnerability is 40 and 60 respectively. The role of adaptive capacity in decreasing or increasing the sensitivity to vulnerability is highlighted from the different parameters obtained from categories viz. the least and the less vulnerable districts such as Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Sabarkantha. Understanding an important component of vulnerability of an area definitely can prove to be an important criterion for districts planners and managers for increasing the adaptive capacity.