Shifting Perspectives in Assessing Socio-Environmental Vulnerability

Abstract

Governments and institutions across the globe are conducting vulnerability assessments and developing adaptation plans to confront rapidly changing climatic conditions. Interrelated priorities, including the conservation of biodiversity, ecological restoration, sustainable development, and social justice often underlie these efforts. We collaborated with colleagues in an effort to help guide vulnerability assessment and adaptation (VAA) generally in Southeast Asia and specifically in the watershed of the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park (SIEP) in Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. Reflecting upon our experiences and a review of recent VAA literature, we examine a series of seven questions that help to frame the socio-ecological context for VAAs. We then propose a three-dimensional framework for understanding common orientations of VAAs and how they appear to be shifting and broadening over time, particularly in the USA. For example, key leaders in the SIEP project emphasized social development and community-based approaches over more ecology-centric approaches; this orientation was consistent with other examples from SE Asia. In contrast, many efforts for US national forests have evaluated vulnerability based on projected shifts in vegetation and have promoted adaptation options based upon ecological restoration. Illustrating a third, highly integrated approach, many VAAs prepared by indigenous tribes in the USA have emphasized restoring historical ecological conditions within a broader context of promoting cultural traditions, social justice, and adaptive capacity. We conclude with lessons learned and suggestions for advancing integrated approaches.

A local perspective of the socio-environmental vulnerability to environmental pollution and economic crises: a case of locals around a coal power plant in Sri Lanka

“…And consequently, scholars across the globe are now assessing how those perspectives on socio-environmental vulnerability are shifting. Long & Steel, ( 2020 ) studied to guide vulnerability assessment and adaptation (VAA), generally in Southeast Asia and particularly in a watershed in an environmental park in Thailand together with reviewing recent VAA literature. They have shown how VAA approaches are broadening and shifting over time and the contrast between Asian and American approaches to evaluate vulnerability and adaptation.…”

“…For instance, Asian studies had more emphasis on social development and community-based approaches. In contrast, vulnerability evaluation in Global North was mostly based on ecology-centric approaches while promoting adaptation through ecological restoration (Long & Steel, 2020 ). As shown by Ballari et al, ( 2020 ), when considering Ecological Restoration (ER) studies, the global north produced twice the amount of ER studies compared to the global south.…”

Human Dimensions: Vegetation Ecology

“…Although the incorporation of cultural knowledge into land management on tribal lands has begun (Wynecoop et al 2019), incorporation of native perspectives into vegetation ecology has been less apparent (but see Oberndorfer et al 2020, Long and Steel 2020), despite potential benefits to Native communities and ecological progress. More inclusive vegetation ecology communities would provide opportunities to develop studies that incorporate traditional knowledge relevant to the effects of global change on vegetation, improve management outcomes, promote diverse and healthy ecosystems, and minimize loss of human life and property (Lake et al 2017).…”

A guide to forest–water management

“…Comparing the Phetchaburi watershed, Thailand, and watershed-scale planning in the United States of AmericaIn Thailand, the Watershed-based Adaptation to Climate Change project was a collaborative watershed-scale planning initiative to evaluate vulnerability to climate change and create an adaptation plan for the Sirindhorn International Environment Park in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province(Long and Steel, 2020). The park is located in one of the driest parts of Thailand in a region important for agriculture and tourism.Watersheds have been modified extensively, including by numerous reservoirs and diversions to support development and agriculture.…”