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Climate change impacts and adaptations among the indigenous highland farming communities of the Ambuklao Watershed, Benguet, Philippines
Dissertation Abstract:
The study was conducted to analyze local level climatic trends; and characterize and evaluate adaptations in response to climate change impacts with respect to crop production, water resources, and household economy.
Statistical analysis of mean annual; and minimum and maximum temperature revealed significant increasing trends and changes from 1950 to 2009 indicating that climate change took place in the Ambuklao Watershed.
Climate change impacts negatively affect crop production, water resources, and household economy, including other components of the households’ farming system. Impacts are still tolerable due to its cool climate and minimal increase in current and projected temperatures. However, it is likely that as population and agriculture continues to expand, further strain to the watershed’s ecosystem may exacerbate climate change impacts. In the future, it is projected that the study site may experience life-threatening damages when exposed to climate related hazards.
Respondents’ current adaptations are within coping range. Almost all adaptations were rated effective and that the cost and degree of institutional capacity needed were low, easy to implement, and highly acceptable to farmers. Such adaptations did not completely restrain climate change impacts but were effective enough to sustain the farm household’s economic needs. However, some adaptations used may worsen climate change impacts. In the future, these adaptations may render ineffective and the indigenous highland farming communities in the Ambuklao Watershed will be more vulnerable to climate change impacts.