Browsing by Author "Jiménez, Elizabeth"

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14
  • Adapting to climate change in Andean ecosystems: Landscapes, capitals, and perceptions shaping rural livelihood strategies and linking knowledge systems
    Valdivia, Corinne; Seth, Anji; Gilles, Jere L.; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Yucra, E.; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Navia, F. (Taylor & Francis, LLC., 2010)
    In the Bolivian Altiplano, indigenous systems for dealing with weather and climate risk are failing or being lost as a result of migration, climate change, and market integration. Andean rural communities are particularly vulnerable to changing social and environmental conditions. Changing climate over the past forty years and current forecast models point to increasing temperatures and later onset of rains during the growing season. Current meteorological models are coarse grained and not well suited to the complex topology of the Andes -- so local-scale information is required for decisions. This article outlines a process for developing new local knowledge that can be used to enhance adaptive processes. (Excerpt from abstract)
  • Andean livelihood strategies and the impact of market and climate shocks: Risks perceptions and coping mechanisms
    Valdivia, Corinne; Marks, L. A.; Gilles, Jere L.; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Romero, A. (2008)
    Andean families pursue their livelihood strategies in an environment of uncertainty shaped by market and climate risks. Production and consumption decisions remain interlinked due to limited, shallow or imperfect markets, especially for credit to protect against negative shocks. Risk perceptions inform decisions, as do insurance mechanisms. Risks are assessed from the point of view of women and men heads of household connecting perceptions and management or coping mechanisms. Perceptions are predicted by the dread the risk produces, the degree of control - knowledge of the risk, and the coping mechanisms. The latter includes the capitals invested - social, economic, cultural, and natural - in providing a buffer or in adaptation strategies. Trusted sources of information and networks are also evaluated to develop a framework for communication of changes in the Altiplano to improve adaptation to change.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Cambio climático, diversidad de papa y conocimiento local en el Altiplano boliviano
    Jiménez, Elizabeth (2009)
    Este recurso explica las enlaces entre conocimiento local y la bioversidad de la papa en el Altiplano boliviano y cambio climatico. Estudios pasados han revelado la amenaza de cambio climatico a la biodiversidad del tuberculo. El objeto de este estudio es a analizar el estado actual de la diversidad de papas y las tendencias de esta poblacion en el relacion con cambio climatico.
  • Changes in soil organic C and N due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Aguilera, Javier; Valdivia, Corinne; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Miranda, R. (Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy, 2007)
    Global climate change and changes in migration and market conditions in the Bolivian Highlands (Altiplano) have reduced the use of traditional cropping practices and increased the risk of crop failure and food insecurity. The objectives of this research were to survey indigenous farming communities in the northern Altiplano of Bolivia to determine the actual and perceived changes in cropping practices in potato-based cropping systems and to assess the effects of these changes on soil total organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) levels and the availability and composition of soil amendments. Village-level surveys were conducted using questionnaires and participatory techniques in 2006-2007 in four communities that were selected to represent communities situated at relatively low and high altitudes in the region. Samples of soil amendments, primarily animal manures, were obtained from each community to determine the range of composition of the materials. In addition, soil samples were collected to a 20 cm depth from agricultural fields that represented different stages of the common agricultural rotation practiced in the region and that had different lengths of fallow periods. A hypothesis of this research is that climate change and socioeconomic factors have caused lower soil total organic C and total N levels due to increased intensity of land use and the amount and type of tillage, and a decrease in the length of the fallow period that was traditionally used to restore soil fertility. The results of the analysis of the soil amendments and soils will be compared to community perceptions of changes in soil quality and management and any differences among the communities will be discussed. The findings of this research will assist in determining if appropriate management practices need to be identified to improve soil organic matter in order to possibly mitigate negative effects of climate change in the area.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Climate change, markets and livelihood strategies for adaptation in vulnerable Altiplano Ecosystems
    Valdivia, Corinne; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Seth, Anji (2009)
    This presentation discusses a framework of scales and interactions, Altiplano climate trends and change, markets, livelihood strategies and perceptions of risks across the Altiplano ecosystem, uncertainty, and participatory research in adaptive capacities.
  • Differences in cropping systems and soil organic carbon due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Aguilera, Javier; Valdivia, Corinne; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Miranda, R. (2008)
    This presentation presents results of differences in cropping systems and soil organic carbon in the Bolivian Highlands, due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems.
  • Differences in cropping systems and soil organic carbon due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Aguilera, Javier; Valdivia, Corinne; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Miranda, R. (2008)
    This presentation discusses research performed in Bolivia on climate change in regard to soil degradation. Through interdisciplinary methods in soil science and social science, the researchers attempted to determine why and how much livelihoods have changed in the Bolivian highlands. Specifically, the researchers were interested in the climate and human interface and how this has been affected by reduced rainfall and climate change.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Economias Rurales y Servicios Financieros en Bolivia
    Jiménez, Elizabeth (2007)
    The objective of this presentation was to (1) identify stratification of households in peasant economies as a result of differences in capitals and livelihood strategies, (2) to assess the extent in which risk perceptions and coping strategies respond to such differences, and (3) to analyze the extent in which such differences should be considered for the identification of rural financial services.
  • Thumbnail Image
    El impacto de los cambios climáticos y de mercado en comunidades campesinas del Altiplano de la Paz
    Valdivia, Corinne; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Romero, A. (La Paz, Bolivia: Plural Editores, 2007)
    Climate and market shocks impact on the livelihood strategies of families in Altiplano communities. A household survey of 360 families in the Altiplano sheds light how families participate in markets, cope with climate and market shocks, and their feelings of control over these events. Theory proposes that the higher levels of capitals and climate resilient activities will result in a greater sense of control and therefore lower sense of dread. Cluster analysis identified three groups by wealth and life cycle characteristics in each region, as well as clear differences in income, assets, and market production activities between and within regions. Coping strategies in region facing warming and drying trends has focused on loss of assets, such as sales of animals. While in both regions there is diversity of income sources, the major source of diversity in Ancoraimes is crop varieties. While in both regions climatic shocks have had a negative impact on production, this has been experienced in Ancoraimes by 99 to 100 percent of the families, which has implications in terms of coping mechanism that rely on community networks. The other region has also experienced high rates of production shocks, from 71 to 92 percent of household members in each group. Strategies to diversify to climate resilient activities have resulted in increased off farm activities, mostly migration, in the lower income, lower asset region, while the greater assets in livestock, which face a more stable market and ability to withstand climate shocks presents a bifurcated response. Comparison between groups identified in the clusters for each region found no significant differences between groups on climate shock and climate change perceptions, in both regions. The rating on the risk of climate shock hazards at the household level was above 4 in a scale of 1-5 where 4 meant a very high threat and 5 an extreme threat. Umala households ratings were higher for the shocks than for change in climate with an average of 3.79 for the latter, while in Ancoraimes most of the risks were rated from 3.70 to 3.92, with the exception of climate change that was around 4. Overall though, in both regions climate hazard perceptions are high. Market risks are also considered a threat but rated lower than climate. Dread of losing outside networks of support was ranked high by elderly men and women, as well as the change in climate, in Umala, with no differences in Ancoraimes, but higher rates of dread overall do to the significance of this income in their livelihood strategies. Finding to date are consistent with theory, in that the dread, a reflection of the coping or lack of coping mechanisms, is higher in terms of markets for livestock in Umala, and higher in terms of loss of remittances from family members in Ancoraimes. The study finds that coping mechanism are based on individual household strategies, rather than community or institutions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Linking knowledge systems for rural livelihoods adaptation under uncertainty: Drying and warming in Andean ecosystems
    Valdivia, Corinne; Gilles, Jere L.; Seth, Anji; Thibeault, Jeanne M.; Jiménez, Elizabeth; García, Magali; Yucra, E.; Garrett, Karen A. (2009)
    The goal of our SANREM-CRSP program in the Altiplano is to conduct research that increases the adaptability to changes in climate, the environment, and markets. To do this we must link scientific knowledge about the production systems and the environment, with the local knowledge, and people's priorities. We are studying different approaches to bridge knowledge systems, and assessing their effectiveness (research interest groups, community groups, knowledge sharing events, participatory mapping of vulnerabilities and assets, co-learning and formal training). We have identified the trends in climate of the past 30 years, and at climate projections for the Northern Altiplano, along with participatory processes to downscale this knowledge to the communities by linking this to the local forecast indicators the community experts observe. This allows us to assess technologies from the perspective of the variability and uncertainty that farmers face, and will increasingly face, when it comes to deciding what, if, and when to plant, or how to reallocate their resources. We have learned that perceptions of risks and dread of hazards are high, but with differences by locality and wealth. People in a the Central Altiplano region of Bolivia, with relatively more income land and animals are more concerned with hazard events like droughts floods and frost; while in the Northern Altiplano region, with less than half the household income, smaller land size, and migration as part of their livelihood strategies, people are more concerned with the climate changing, and affecting what they can grow. In addition to involving farmers in the evaluation of research findings, members of vulnerable groups are purposely included to engage them in the discussions and plans necessary to develop adaptation strategies that will require extra-community resources to be successful. Extreme event projections from the models relate a sense of uncertainty and variability, with presentations unlike the present, with potential for more stress in access to water, and more extreme events in temperature and precipitation that affect agriculture, today the main source of livelihood of these families. Using this information we are identifying the strategies that people use to deal with these events and have identified strategies that include developing or improving the capacity of rural communities to increase value added to their products, and mechanisms to access resources to buffer shocks. We are studying the biological and physical drivers that are changing agricultural production systems, as well as the local knowledge and perceptions of farmers, the way they assess the risks of climate hazards and change (Slovic and Weber 2002). Although trust in traditional decision making tools is declining, trust in scientific knowledge is almost non-existent. In this context two-way participatory communication can enhance this trust and build knowledge that can facilitate adaptation. This requires farmers and researchers to develop a common language. Using traditional scientific research methods combined with participatory research, the project is building new knowledge base which returns to decision makers' as information about their livelihoods, their resources and market integration capacity. It seeks to build new knowledge by bridging scientific and local knowledge systems, and human agency, identifying capacities and capabilities that decision makers in the Altiplano have to be able to adapt to uncertainty. This includes agronomic trials to identify new varieties, crops, or production techniques that can buffer the new risks of changing weather patterns.
  • Market integration: The challenge of climate change
    Jiménez, Elizabeth; Valdivia, Corinne (Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies Global Knowledge Services, 2009)
    This article analyzes the effect of adaptive small-scale agricultural strategies in the Bolivian Altiplano region on local diet, market integration, and economic welfare. Farmers in this area are starting to produce non-indigenous varieties of potato and other products because they have higher market value. The long-term implications of these agricultural changes are uncertain, but researchers suggest that they are not sustainable and will exacerbate inequalities by causing the most disadvantaged people to become more vulnerable to climate change. [summary from the record creator]
  • Thumbnail Image
    Markets and market strategies for communities in Ancoraimes
    Jiménez, Elizabeth; Romero, A. L.; Valdivia, Corinne (2008)
    This poster describes the baseline survey results of the SANREM project in the Ancoraimes municipality - household income sources, primary commercialized agricultural products, transportation costs and prices received in different regional markets. The poster also discusses the factors responsible for product commercialization, the frequency with which these products are commercialized, and household perceptions about climate change and the market.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Markets and market strategies for communities in Umala
    Jiménez, Elizabeth; Romero, A. L.; Valdivia, Corinne (2008)
    This poster describes the baseline survey results of the SANREM project in the Umala municipality - household income sources, primary commercialized agricultural products, transportation costs and prices received in different regional markets. The poster also discusses the factors responsible for product commercialization, the frequency with which these products are commercialized, and household perceptions about climate change and the market.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Potatoes climate and markets in the livelihood strategies of Altiplano communities in Bolivia
    Jiménez, Elizabeth; Valdivia, Corinne; Romero, A. (2008)
    Climate change and market uncertainties are drivers that impact on how families, and members within households, in Altiplano communities devise their livelihood strategies, based on capitals accessed and controlled, and the markets in which they are able to participate. Perceptions of risk, feelings of dread about climate changes, prices for their products, and pests affecting their crops may have an effect on the ability to develop climate resilient strategies. Adapting to Change in the Andes, a research collaboration project in the Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support Program (SANREM CRSP) is studying how climate and markets, are drivers of change in Altiplano ecosystems, through impacts on the environment and on human social systems. Two working hypotheses inform the research. The first focuses on the system drivers. On the one hand climate change, with increased variability and extreme events, has increased the risks in production and directly on livelihoods and wellbeing. On the other, rural communities in the Altiplano, have faced difficulties with markets for their products due to partial integration, and high transactions costs. The second focuses on agency, and how participatory approaches develop knowledge and skills that increase capabilities and agency to negotiate these risks, and develop strategies that reduce the risks posed by both drivers. For the strategies to be sustainable the natural capital must grow. On of the elements of this capital is the biodiversity of potatoes and other Andean tubers.