New map shows areas most sensitive to climate change

Scientists have developed a new method to map the areas most sensitive to climate variability across the world, by using information gathered by satellites.
An international team of researchers identified climate drivers of vegetation productivity on monthly timescales. They found climate sensitivity in ecosystems around the globe.
"We have found ecologically sensitive regions with amplified responses to climate variability in the Arctic tundra, parts of the boreal forest belt, the tropical rain-forest, alpine regions worldwide, steppe and prairie regions of central Asia and North and South America, forests in South America, and eastern areas of Australia," said Alistair Seddon from from University of Bergen (UiB) in Norway.

Researchers developed a metric called the Vegetation Sensitivity Index (VSI), which allows a more quantifiable response to climate change challenges and how sensitive different ecosystems are to short-term climate anomalies.
The index supplements previous methods for monitoring and evaluating the condition of ecosystems.
"Our study provides a quantitative methodology for assessing the relative response rate of ecosystems - either natural ones or those with a strong anthropogenic footprint, to climate variability," said Seddon.

For the study, researchers used satellite data from 2000 to 2013.
"First of all, the method identifies which climate related variables - such as temperature, water availability, and cloudiness - are important for controlling productivity in a given location," said Seddon.

"Then we compare the variability in ecosystem productivity, which we also obtain from satellite data, against the variability in the important climate variables," he added.
VSI provides an additional vegetation metric that can be used to assess the status of ecosystems globally scale.
"Based on the satellite data gathered, we can identify areas that, over the past 14 years, have shown high sensitivity to climate variability," Seddon added.
"The project aims at a reduction in the agricultural
vulnerability of farmers in water stressed rainshadow zones through promotion of appropriate cropping system, rainwater harvesting and recycling, appropriate irrigation and water saving facilities...

"...Integrated farming system, building soil resilience combined with integrated nutrition management with special focus on micro-nutrients and institutional interventions. The project is expected to benefit approximately 2,500 farming families particularly small and marginal farmers," the Ministry said.
The Ministry said that the project in Meghalaya named 'Spring-shed development works for rejuvenation of springs for climate resilient development in the water stressed areas of Meghalaya' will incur a cost Rs 23.98 crore for four years.
"The project aims to maintain and improve the integrity of the natural water bodies and its interventions will help in reducing the surface runoff of rainwater in the spring-shed areas, promote deeper water percolation, and rejuvenate the water table. The project is expected to benefit approximately 16,494 households," it said.

Similarly, the project in Chhattisgarh has been named 'Climate Adaptation in Wetlands along the Mahanadi River Catchment Area in Chhattisgarh' will be at a cost of Rs 24.95 crore for four years.
The project aims to promote water conservation and demand side management as a major adaptation strategy, while improving local livelihood and about 1,500 farmers would switch from commercial farming to climate smart agriculture practices, the Ministry said adding the project is expected to benefit around 7,000 families.