Farmers’ Perceived Vulnerability and Proactive versus Reactive Climate Change Adaptation in Chile’s Maule Region

Abstract

Changes in climatic conditions are unavoidable and irreversible and an early and effective adaptation in farming systems will be vital for resilient agriculture. Although the extant literature has described factors that explain climate change adaptation, the roles of proactive versus reactive adaptation related to perceived vulnerability are still underexplored. The aim of our study was to open a new angle of discussion by linking farmers’ perceptions of vulnerability with their adaptation response, and exploring the dynamic of such a relationship. Semi-structured interviews with farmers were held in the Maule Region of central Chile (n = 36). The interview included questions o about main agricultural challenges, perceptions of climate change and its impact, adaptation strategies, and perceptions of vulnerability, exposure, sensitivity, and ability to adapt. In order to interpret the interview data, a content analysis procedure was followed. The results indicate that farmers respond differently by either engaging in proactive or reactive adaptation behavior. Furthermore, the patterns of either proactive or reactive adaptation behavior can be explained by structural factors and social and human capital. While structural factors, such as production systems and financial capital, explain engaging in adaptation to climate change, social and human capital act as enhancing factors that explain proactive adaptation. Future policies on adaptation behavior should focus on promoting proactive forms of adaptation behavior by developing and enhancing social connections and access to information, as well as on the provision of financial schemes to enable efficient and effective adaptation within the agricultural sector.

Proactive Adaptation Responses by Vulnerable Communities to Climate Change Impacts

“…Based on our findings, it is evident that the perceived severity of climatic threats, selfefficacy, and adaptation efficacy significantly influence an individual's motivation to actively engage in practical climate change adaptation measures. These results align with previous studies that have also demonstrated the predictive role of these factors in motivating individuals to take action towards climate change adaptation, e.g., [116,[149][150][151]. Regarding the adaptation behavior of forest growers, our findings largely support the study conducted by Villamor, Wakelin, Dunningham, and Clinton [117] on risk appraisal.…”

The impact of livelihood resilience and climate change perception on farmers' climate change adaptation behavior decision

“…In studies on farmers in Bangladesh (Ahmed et al, 2021) and Pakistan (Khan et al, 2020), it was also found that household size and farm size have a significant impact on the selection of adaptation strategies. In addition, some scholars have found that social capital and credit services are crucial in the process of adaptation (Jin et al, 2021;Engler et al, 2021;Bryan et al, 2013;Below et al, 2012). Others have found that training on climate change and adaptation Climate change's impact on farmers behavior can increase the likelihood of farmers adopting adaptive behavior (Arunrat et al, 2017).…”

“…Burton divides adaptation strategies into long-term adaptation strategies and short-term adaptation strategies according to the duration of the strategy, and believes that short-term adaptation behavior to natural disasters is a necessary condition for adapting to long-term climate change (Burton, 1997). Engler et al divided farmers' climate change adaptation behaviors into two categories: active adaptive behaviors and passive adaptive behaviors according to the dynamic mechanism of adaptation (Engler et al, 2021). Ahmed et al divides adaptive behaviors into individual-level adaptation and planned adaptation based on the subjects who adopt adaptive behaviors (Ahmed et al, 2021).…”

“…Engler et al . divided farmers' climate change adaptation behaviors into two categories: active adaptive behaviors and passive adaptive behaviors according to the dynamic mechanism of adaptation (Engler et al ., 2021). Ahmed et al .…”

A Critical Analysis of the Challenges of Collaborative Governance in Climate Change Adaptation Policies in Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia

“…Meanwhile, resilience to climate change refers to the capacity of individuals, communities, or institutions to dynamically and effectively respond to changing conditions caused by climate impacts and maintain an acceptable level of function by making, changing, and implementing various choices (actions) in order to survive and recover from the impacts of climate change [16,19]. Public policy will determine the effects of climate change mitigation on this basis [20,21]. Within the context of institution, the decision to use collaborative governance to manage climate change adaptation in Bandar Lampung City is compelling enough to become a topic of research.…”