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Assessment of inherent vulnerability of forests at landscape level: a case study from Western Ghats in India

Author

Listed:
  • Jagmohan Sharma

    (Indian Institute of Science)

  • Sujata Upgupta

    (Indian Institute of Science)

  • Rajesh Kumar

    (Forest Survey of India)

  • Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi

    (Indian Institute of Science)

  • G. Bala

    (Indian Institute of Science)

  • N H Ravindranath

    (Indian Institute of Science)

Abstract

Assessment of vulnerability is an important step in building long-term resilience in the forestry sector. The objective of this paper is to present a methodological approach to assess inherent vulnerability of forests at landscape level. The approach involves use of vulnerability indicators, the pairwise comparison method, and geographic information system (GIS) tools. We apply this approach to assess the inherent vulnerability of forests of the Western Ghats Karnataka (WGK) landscape, which is a part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India. Four vulnerability indicators, namely biological richness, disturbance index, canopy cover, and slope, are selected. We find that forests in 30, 36, 19, and 15 % grid points in this region show low, medium, high, and very high inherent vulnerability, respectively. The forest showing high and very high inherent vulnerability are mostly dry deciduous forests and plantations located largely on the eastern side of the landscape. We also find that canopy cover is one of the key indicators that determine the inherent vulnerability of forests, and natural forests are inherently less vulnerable than man-made plantations. Spatial assessment of inherent vulnerability of forests at landscape level is particularly useful for developing strategies to build resilience to current stressors and climate change in future.

Suggested Citation

  • Jagmohan Sharma & Sujata Upgupta & Rajesh Kumar & Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi & G. Bala & N H Ravindranath, 2017. "Assessment of inherent vulnerability of forests at landscape level: a case study from Western Ghats in India," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 29-44, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:22:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11027-015-9659-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-015-9659-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rajiv Chaturvedi & Ranjith Gopalakrishnan & Mathangi Jayaraman & Govindasamy Bala & N. Joshi & Raman Sukumar & N. Ravindranath, 2011. "Impact of climate change on Indian forests: a dynamic vegetation modeling approach," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 119-142, February.
    2. Norman Myers & Russell A. Mittermeier & Cristina G. Mittermeier & Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca & Jennifer Kent, 2000. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6772), pages 853-858, February.
    3. Murthy I K & Rakesh Tiwari & N. Ravindranath, 2011. "Climate change and forests in India: adaptation opportunities and challenges," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 161-175, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mir Khursheed Alam & Shyamasree Dasgupta & Anamika Barua & N. H. Ravindranath, 2022. "Assessing climate-relevant vulnerability of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR): a district-level analysis," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 112(2), pages 1395-1421, June.

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