Climate change adaptation strategies for the native communities of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, South India

Abstract

Climate change threatens biosphere reserves, increasing the risk of extreme weather events like droughts and floods, and endangering biodiversity and livelihoods. Effective adaptation through changes in agricultural management is essential to mitigate these impacts. In this study, we prioritize major adaptation strategies prac-tised by the communities of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in South India by employing an analytical hier-archy process. A total of 700 farmers practising mixed farming in the biosphere reserve area were chosen for the study. Adaptation strategies were categorized into four sectors, viz. crop, livestock, fisheries and other strat-egies. Within each sector, five commonly practised adap-tation strategies were chosen for the study. Hence, a total of 20 adaptation strategies were considered. ‘Crop diversification’ was identified as the major adaptation strategy. The findings of this study offer valuable in-sights for agricultural extension advisory services to promote diversified farming systems as a resilient and eco-friendly approach to enhance climate risk management within the biosphere reserve area.