Climate change-perceived impacts on agriculture, vulnerability and response strategies for improving adaptation practice in developing countries (South asian region)

Abstract

Global environmental changes have the potential to exacerbate the ecological and societal impacts of changes in biodiversity. In many regions, land conversion forces declining populations towards the edges of their species range, where they become increasingly vulnerable to collapse if exposed to further human impact. South Asia is home to over one fifth of the world’s population and is known to be the most disaster prone area in the world. The high rates of population growth and natural resource degradation, with enduring high rates of poverty and food diffidence make South Asia one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change. Temperature rise will negatively impact crop yields in tropical parts of South Asia where these crops are already being grown close to their temperature tolerance threshold. While direct impacts are associated with rise in temperatures, indirect impacts due to water availability and changing soil moisture status and pest and disease incidence are likely to be felt. The most significant impacts are likely to be borne by small-holder rainfed farmers who constitute the majority of farmers in this region and possess low financial and technical capacity to adapt to climate variability and change. This article will be improved the understanding of the climate change impacts, vulnerability and the adaptation practices to cope with climate change could help this process.