an integrated assessent of impacts, adaptation and vulnerability in watershed areas and communities...

AN INTEGRATED ASSESSENT OF IMPACTS, AN INTEGRATED ASSESSENT OF IMPACTS, ADAPTATION AND VULNERABILITY INADAPTATION AND VULNERABILITY INWATERSHED AREAS AND COMMUNITIESWATERSHED AREAS AND COMMUNITIESIN SOUTHEAST ASIAIN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Juan M. PulhinEkawati S. Wahyuni

Objectives of the Presentation

To briefly discuss: Overview of the research

project Analytical and

methodological gaps before the workshop

Proposed analytical and methodological tools to address gaps and influence decision makers being targeted by the project

Overview Watersheds and their importance

in the Philippines critical to economic development

and environmental protection More than 70% of the total land

area lies within watersheds 421 principal river basins, 18 of

which are major basins with drainage areas of more than 140,000 ha

> 1.5 M ha of agricultural lands derive irrigation water from watersheds

Hydropower major energy source 18-20M people living in uplands

Project objectives Assess the impacts of climate change to water

resources, forest ecosystems, and social systems of the watersheds;

Conduct integrated vulnerability assessment of natural and social systems in the watershed areas;

Develop adaptation strategies for natural water resources, forests ecosystems and social systems;

Promote stakeholder participation in the research process;

Contribute to peer reviewed literature; and Help build capacity of local scientists to conduct

integrated assessment studies.

Research Methods Study will focus on a watershed each in

the Philippines (Pantabangan watershed) and Indonesia (Tulang Bawang Watershed).

Stakeholders will be involved at various steps of the research process

Local communities will also be able to participate in impact assessment and adaptation planning

GMC Climate Scenario

National Climate Scenario

Land use and cover Change in the Watershed Impacts on water,

forests and communities

Adaptation Assessment

Vulnerability Assessment

General Conceptual framework of the study (Original)

Research Framework at the Watershed Level

Climate change scenario

Biophysical factors

THE WATERSHED SYSTEM

Forest/carbon budget

WaterBudget

Land use and land cover change

Socio-economic political factors

Local communities

Expected Outcomes

results will be useful to national policy makers as well as watershed planners in SE Asian countries

enable local communities in watershed areas to adapt to climate change

ANALYTICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL GAPS BEFORE THE WORKSHOP

Balancing “top-down” with “bottom-up” analysis to make assessment more robust

Engaging the stakeholders’ participation in the research process

Promoting the use of the research outputs by decision makers

ADDRESSING ANALYTICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL GAPSBalancing top-down with bottom-up

approach Revised research framework to incorporate

current coping strategies and vulnerability assessment

Methods: Assessment of current vulnerability and adaptation strategies of relevant stakeholders

Tools: Stakeholder/Institutional Analysis, PRA techniques (time lines, focus group discussions, seasonal calendar, wealth ranking, in-depth interviews)

GMC Climate Scenario

National Climate Scenario

Land use and cover Change in the Watershed Impacts on water,

forests and communities

Future Vulnerability Assessment

Future Adaptation Assessment

Climate Variability/ Extremes and Current Coping Mechanisms

Current Vulnerability Assessment

General Conceptual framework of the study (Revised)

ADDRESSING ANALYTICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL GAPS

Engaging the stakeholders’ participation in the research process

Method: Multi-spatial, Multi-level Stakeholder Analysis/Involvement from on-site and downstream communities and

institutions to the regional and national agencies/groups, to the policy makers at the various stages of the research process (Scenario building, present and future vulnerability and adaptation assessment/planning)

Tools: Various tools on SA and Participation,

Multisectoral consultation, Facilitation

Methods

ADDRESSING ANALYTICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL GAPS

Promoting the use of research outputs by decision makers

Wide range of decision makers involved in the project: from the de facto resource users to the policy makers

Challenge: build awareness and interest on climate change in different sectors in the process of conducting the research

Approach: Move from a “laboratory-oriented” to a more stakeholder-oriented”, advocacy type of research

ADDRESSING ANALYTICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL GAPS

Promoting the use of research outputs by decision makers

Tools: Various tools on SA and Participation,

Multi-sectoral consultation, IEC tools Specifics (other than those mentioned already):

Development of IEC materials such as posters, website, etc. Presentation of project concepts/outputs in local and national

seminars/for a/symposia, etc. Incorporation of climate change topics in existing university

courses or development of new courses and student researches

Use of spatial analysis (GIS) to better communicate research results

Bringing research results in the halls of the Congress.

CONCLUSION

Both the research process and outputs are important to influence decision makers

If stakeholders are aware and involved, the likelihood that they will use the research outputs/results increases

In climate change assessment, the challenge is to put more human dimension and local perspectives into the modeler’s equation

Thank you!