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Cross-Scale Vulnerability Assessment for Smallholder Farming: A Case Study from the Northeast of Brazil

Author

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  • Sophia Dobkowitz

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany)

  • Ariane Walz

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany)

  • Gabriele Baroni

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Aldrin M. Pérez-Marin

    (Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência do Solo da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Av. Francisco Lopes de Almeida, s/n, Serrotão, Campina Grande, Paraíba CEP 58429-970, Brazil)

Abstract

Climate change heavily impacts smallholder farming worldwide. Cross-scale vulnerability assessment has a high potential to identify nested measures for reducing vulnerability of smallholder farmers. Despite their high practical value, there are currently only limited examples of cross-scale assessments. The presented study aims at assessing the vulnerability of smallholder farmers in the Northeast of Brazil across three scales: regional, farm and field scale. In doing so, it builds on existing vulnerability indices and compares results between indices at the same scale and across scales. In total, six independent indices are tested, two at each scale. The calculated indices include social, economic and ecological indicators, based on municipal statistics, meteorological data, farm interviews and soil analyses. Subsequently, indices and overlapping indicators are normalized for intra- and cross-scale comparison. The results show considerable differences between indices across and within scales. They indicate different activities to reduce vulnerability of smallholder farmers. Major shortcomings arise from the conceptual differences between the indices. We therefore recommend the development of hierarchical indices, which are adapted to local conditions and contain more overlapping indicators for a better understanding of the nested vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Dobkowitz & Ariane Walz & Gabriele Baroni & Aldrin M. Pérez-Marin, 2020. "Cross-Scale Vulnerability Assessment for Smallholder Farming: A Case Study from the Northeast of Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3787-:d:354749
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