PDF file (2.44 MB) - Asia Pacific Adaptation Network

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Parallel Sessions 2: Climage Change Adaptation and Agriculture27Q: I have read many times that if we can convert Liguasan Marsh into rice fields, it would be good forthe farmers and our country. With your technology, what is the prospect of converting LiguasanMarsh 8 to a rice-growing area?A: Suitability depends on the type (depth) of flooding and quality of floodwater. We already did sometrials there but Liguasan is not suitable for Sub1 varieties because the marsh is deep and the wateris usually murky.Q: What is the ecological implication of converting marshlands into rice-growing areas?A. Sub1 varieties are not intended for converting marshland to rice production areas.Comment: (from the moderator Prof. Mendoza) We just need to clarify that Dr. Labios’ presentation wasnot about ecosystem conversion but rather is about crop adaptation to certain unfavourable conditions.Q: What is the role/possible participation of indigenous people in the research?A: The Sub1 gene can be introduced into indigenous varieties just like in the popular or ‘modern’varieties. In general, PVS (involving farmers in breeding work) can help ensure better adoption ofspecific varieties.Response of Agro-Pastoral Indigenous Communitiesto the Cascading Effects of Climate Change-Studies from Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas, IndiaMr. Tenzing J. IngtyPhD Student, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, IndiaMr. Ingty presented evidences of impactsof climate change in the state of Sikkimin Northeast India, which is a biodiversityhotspot. His paper documented the adaptivestrategies of the local people in the area bothat the individual and institutional scales.Among the significant impacts of climatechange in pastoral communities that the studynoted are: heavy rainfall (but shorter duration),less snow, and the drying up of waterresources and traditional grazing areas. Othersare overall warming (higher temperatures),and presence of more mosquitoes. Otherimpacts observed are the change in the habitatrange of flowering plants, and the feasibilityof planting potatoes in higher altitudes wherethis crop did not thrive before, which the localsconsider as positive.Potatoes can now be planted in higher elevations due to warmer weather.8 Liguasan Marsh is a 288,000-hectare vast complex of river channels, small freshwater lakes and ponds, extensive marshes, and arable landsubject to seasonal flooding. One of the main threats to this ecosystem is the conversion of parts of the marsh to rice paddies (www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=9802). It should be noted that marshlands serve special ecological and other functions and these shouldbe considered before any conversion for other purposes is undertaken.International Conference on Climate Change Impactsand Adaptation for Food and Environmental SecurityConference Summary Report
28Parallel Sessions 2: Climage Change Adaptation and AgricultureMr. Ingty emphasized the importance of looking at the responses and strategies of local people inthe discourse on and in addressing climate change impacts, including the role of social systems andarrangements in preventing serious negative impacts. His presentation further highlighted that:• Climate change is very evident in the Himalayas with 1.5 o C increase in temperature and 163mm increase in precipitation, although there is a lack of local scientific study covering climatechange. In contrast, there is richness in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) based onexperiences, perceptions, and coping strategies of indigenous communities.• Two indigenous communities, namely the transhumance 9 Lachenpas and the nomadic Yakherder communities (or Dokpas), migrate with changes in the season. These groups do thisbecause of deep understanding of the environment and TEK.• Adaptation strategies of these communities include the traditional practice of the Dzumsaas an organization system that serves as management and decision making tool, wherethe Dzumsa plays a vital role of regulating resource use in a way that prohibits overuse andprovides social, economic, and environmental security to the people.Mr. Ingty recommended that indigenous people can and should be given the opportunity toparticipate in regional and global discourse on and strategies to address climate change bycontributing local perceptions, adaptation responses, and solutions. The integration of TEK andmodern science makes for a more holistic approach.Q: You showed us some physiological and biological changes in the crops. Did you observe anymovement among the people as a measure to adapt to these changes?A: As they are a migratory community, they migrate with the seasons. But there is no clear trend inseason change. Sometimes winter comes earlier, sometimes at a later time. Consequently, theherder groups’ nomadic practices still adapt to the changes in season.Q: What are the issues brought about by changes in society and environment?A: The communities are dynamic and continue to adapt to changes in society and environment, or toclimate change. It is wrong to think that they are closed to outside ideas. These people move aroundso they are also influenced by ideas and practices from the communities they come in contact with.For now, it is quite difficult to attribute this to climate change, or to influences from the outside.Q: How do the indigenous peoples (IPs) perceive the changes in their environment?A: They may have a different concept of what is happening (climate change). For them, they also seesome positive changes going on like their being able to plant crops in areas where they could notgrow them before. However, they also observe negative changes like the presence of mosquitoes aswell as the degradation of grazing areas.9 Transfer of livestock from one grazing ground to another, as from lowlands to highlands, with the changing of seasons(www.thefreedictionary.com/transhumance).International Conference on Climate Change Impactsand Adaptation for Food and Environmental SecurityConference Summary Report
Page 1 and 2: aINTERNATIONAL CONFERENCEON CLIMATE
Page 3 and 4: iInternational Conference onCLIMATE
Page 5 and 6: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYiiiEXECUTIVE SUMMA
Page 7 and 8: vvCONFERENCE BACKGROUNDSpecifically
Page 9 and 10: 2OPENING PROGRAMKeynote SpeechSlide
Page 11 and 12: 4Plenary 1: Status, Prospects, and
Page 13 and 14: 6Plenary 1: Status, Prospects, and
Page 15 and 16: 8Parallel Sessions 1: Climage Chang
Page 17 and 18: 10Parallel Sessions 1: Climage Chan
Page 33: 26Parallel Sessions 2: Climage Chan
Page 39 and 40: 32Parallel Sessions 3: Institutiona
Page 55 and 56: 48Parallel Sessions 4: Systems and
Page 63 and 64: 56Plenary 2: Regional and South-Sou
Page 65 and 66: 58Plenary 2: Regional and South-Sou
Page 67 and 68: 60Plenary 3: Panel Discussion on Ne
Page 69 and 70: 62Plenary 3: Panel Discussion on Ne
Page 71 and 72: 64CLOSING PROGRAMCLOSING PROGRAMKno
Page 73 and 74: 66CLOSING PROGRAMDr. Sawhney consid
Page 75: 68CONFERENCE EVALUATIONIn terms of
Page 78 and 79: CONFERENCE EVALUATION71Administrati
Page 80 and 81: ANNEX 173Parallel Sessions 1 - Clim
Page 82 and 83: ANNEX 175DAY 2 - NOVEMBER 22Paralle
Page 84 and 85:
ANNEX 177PLENARY 2 - Regional and S
Page 86 and 87:
79Ines Vivian D. DomingoReport Writ
show all

PDF file &#40;2.44 MB&#41; - Asia Pacific Adaptation Network

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?

PDF file (2.44 MB) - Asia Pacific Adaptation Network