A review of the biophysical impacts of climate change in three hotspot regions in Africa and Asia

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted of biological and physical climate change impacts in three hotspot regions in Africa and Asia. Specifically, the review focused on identifying the nature and extent of biophysical impacts in semi-arid zones, mega-deltas and glacial-fed river basins. In total 139, peer-reviewed articles were reviewed, with a steady increase in relevant articles reported since 2006. Publications on the South Asian glacial-fed river basins were the most numerous followed by semi-arid areas and then deltas, with Central Asia and some African countries being the most under represented. The nature and extent of impacts varied for each hotspot area and were largely determined by the geographical context and intrinsic characteristics of each region. River basin publications were dominated by impacts concerning hydrology, highlighting the importance of glacial-fed water resources to downstream populations. Semi-arid regions were dominated by impacts to climate processes and impacts to livestock and vegetation highlighting the importance of rainfall to the ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities in these regions. In contrast, delta studies were dominated by a focus on hazards, predominantly coastal inundation, reflecting the concentration of populations and assets in these areas. Uncertainties associated with the biophysical impacts on these regions under a changing climate are documented and represent key knowledge gaps. Common information gaps for all hotspot regions were the need for improved hydro-meteorological monitoring systems. The development of climate change adaptation strategies and policies should be supported by a sound knowledge and understanding of the full range of biophysical impacts, which are characteristic to each geographical location.

Present to future sediment transport of the Brahmaputra River: reducing uncertainty in predictions and management

“…The successful implementation of such plans will likely require improved basic information on the functioning of the river system. Similarly, the lack of adequate knowledge was recently highlighted (Kilroy 2015;Ray et al 2015) for development of agriculture and hydropower, specifically with regard to variable discharge and sediment load dynamics in the face of climatic and other anthropogenic changes. There is thus an emergent need for science-based advice on how to prioritize efforts to target existing knowledge gaps.…”

Review of key initiatives and approaches to adaptation planning at the national level in semi-arid areas

“…At the project level, more than half focus on agriculture and water management recognized as adaptation priorities for semi-arid areas in the literature (Kilroy 2014;Thomas 2008;Conway 2011;supplementary material 3). This fact is mirrored in the priorities in national adaptation and other analyzed policy and strategic documents.…”

“…ongoing process of climate change constitutes an additional stressor for semi-arid areas-one that is increasingly affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people living in these vulnerable eco-regions (Kilroy 2014;Fischlin et al 2007;Hassan et al 2005;Lioubimtseva 2009;Lioubimtseva et al 2005;Reenberg et al 2013).…”

Systematic review approaches for climate change adaptation research

“…In contrast, for a research question with a very large and diverse amount of information, the reviewer may need to identify ways of placing limits on the review so that it can be feasibly conducted. This might involve restricting the review to a single literature source (e.g., peer-reviewed articles, articles indexed only in Web of Knowledge), or selecting a sample of the literature (e.g., Ford et al 2014;Kilroy 2015;Kamau and Mwaura 2013). A reviewer must place limits on the amount of literature that can be covered, and this may be done at the defining/scoping stage (Pawson et al 2005).…”

“…This paper is part of a special edition commissioned by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to inform the development of their Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA) program. The paper compliments six articles in the special edition that apply to varying degrees systematic approaches to reviewing current knowledge on adaptation to climate change in global vulnerability hotspots (Berrang-Ford et al this issue;Bizikova et al 2015;De Souza et al 2015;Ford et al 2014;Kilroy 2015;Lwasa 2014;Sud et al 2015;Tucker et al 2014).…”