Browsing by Author "Valdivia, Corinne"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 43
  • Adaptación al cambio en los Andes
    Valdivia, Corinne; Gilles, Jere L. (2006)
    An overview of the general SANREM CRSP program and the specific 'Adapting to Change in the Andes' project, as well as presentation of partners, stakeholders, objectives, areas of research, problems, effects, opportunities, challenges, strategies and the development impact pathway of the project.
  • Adapting to Change in Andean Ecosystems: Climate and Strategies
    Valdivia, Corinne; Fernández-Baca, Edith (2008)
    The presentation summarizes the research activities conducted by SANREM CRSP LTRA4 Adapting to Change in the Andes in the Altiplano region. The objectives were to present the project, emphasizing the research activities revolving around climate, strategies and advocacy coalitions.
  • Adapting to change in the Andean Highlands: Practices and strategies to address climate and market risks in vulnerable agro-ecosystems
    Valdivia, Corinne (2006)
    Adapting to change objectives and approaches are presented along with the capitals and vulnerability framework. The presentation outlines activities in the Andes, as well as shows the landscapes in which the project is being implemented.
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    Adapting to change in the Andes: Practices and strategies for vulnerable ecosystems
    Valdivia, Corinne (Blacksburg, VA: Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech, 2009)
    This presentation summarizes the findings of the SANREM CRSP research project "Practices and strategies for vulnerable agro-ecosystems", with specific regard to the impact of climate change. Research highlights focus on the importance of developing multiple types of capital to make farmers and farming systems more resilient in the face of climate change. The presentation also discusses the significance of pest and disease forecasting technologies in assisting producers.
  • 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)
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    Adapting to climate change in Andean Ecosystems: SANREM LTRA-4 Practices and Strategies
    Valdivia, Corinne (2009)
    Adapting to Change in the Andean Highlands: Practices and Strategies to Address Climate and Market Risks in Vulnerable Agro-ecosystems (SANREM CRSP LTRA 4) is focused on identifying the consequences of climate change for one of the poorest and most vulnerable regions in the Western Hemisphere and develop adaptive capacities. The project uses a cross disciplinary and participatory approach, linking biophysical and social sciences research with local knowledge systems through participatory institutions. The presentations introduces some of the key findings in the context of climate change. In the biophysical sciences the presentation reports on Altiplano climate change projections for this century. The presentation also examines the mitigation and adaptation aspects of organic soil amendment practices in rural communities and anticipating and responding to plant disease and pests risks. Finally, the presentation discusses findings on strategies for enhancing the adaptive capacity of small Andean producers.
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    Altiplano climate: Making sense of twenty-first century scenarios
    Seth, Anji; Thibeault, Jeanne M.; Valdivia, Corinne (2008)
  • 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.
  • Anticipating and responding to biological complexity in the effects of climate change on agriculture
    Garrett, Karen A.; Forbes, Gregory Allan; Pande, S.; Savary, S.; Sparks, Adam H.; Valdivia, Corinne; Vera Cruz, C.; Willocquet, L. (IOP Publishing, 2009)
    The effects of climate change on biological systems are complex. This is particularly apparent for multispecies systems such as plant diseases and plant-herbivore interactions where climate can affect each species individually as well as influencing the interactions between species. This article was presented in Copenhagen as part of the conference on Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions, held 10-12 March 2009.
  • Cambio Climático y Adaptación: Rol de la ganadería en las estrategias de vida en los Andes
    Valdivia, Corinne (2008)
    This presentation discussed the role of livestock in the Andes in the context of climate change. The multiple roles of livestock and the diverse characteristics of livelihood strategies are presented. The focus of the presentation is on adaptation, though mitigation is also discussed.
  • 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.
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    Climate change variability and Andean agriculture: The context
    Valdivia, Corinne (2008)
    A presentation by Valdivia from lessons learned in the SANREM CRSP and past research to frame the two day workshop. First session of the workshop: I. Climate Change Variability and Andean Agriculture: The Context Lessons learned from SANREM CRSP on adapting to climate change.
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    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.
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    Coping and adapting to climate change: Andean communities' experiences
    Valdivia, Corinne (2008)
    This presentation to the Asian Development Bank social sciences group focused on sharing lessons learned from research undertaken in the Andean region between 1993 and 2008 in various programs, including the SANREM CRSP LTRA4. Some critical findings relate to the significance of place in coping and adaptation strategies, the need to link new information to existing knowledge systems, and the findings on projections on climate change that underline the uncertain environment in which decisions will be made in rainfed agricultural regions.
  • 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.
  • Do bacterial and fungal communities in soils of the Bolivian Altiplano change under shorter fallow periods?
    Gomez-Montano, L.; Jumpponen, A.; Gonzales, Miguel Angel; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Valdivia, Corinne; Motavalli, Peter P.; Herman, M.; Garrett, Karen A. (2013)
    Leaving fields fallow can improve soil fertility, but there is limited information on the effect of fallowing on soil microbiology. This article presents a study of soil fungal and bacterial properties in fallowed land in the Umala and Ancoriames municipalities of the Bolivian altiplano. The study tested the influence of fallowing, and of the presence of the native plant Thola, on fungal and bacterial populations. In Ancroaimes, fungal diversity increased with fallowing, while in Umala fungal diversity decreased with fallowing. Conversely, bacterial diversity with fallowing decreased in Ancoraimes and increased in Umala. The presence of Thola did not alter the level of diversity, but did result in higher populations of certain genera. Although these results demonstrate a variety of responses to fallowing, they establish its significance on bacterial and fungal populations
  • Effects of changes in fallow length on soil organic C due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Aguilera, Javier; Jintaridth, Bunjirtluk; Valdivia, Corinne; Gonzales, Miguel Angel; Chambilla, Carola (2009)
    Fallowing land has an important role in soil fertility restoration in potato-based cropped systems in the semi-arid Bolivian Highlands (Altiplano) Region. However, climate change and changes in migration and market conditions have reduced the use of this traditional practice and possibly increased soil degradation. The objectives of this research were to assess the effects of cropping and length of fallow on soil total organic carbon (C) and labile soil C fractions among indigenous communities in the Central Altiplano. The study sites were four communities in the Central Altiplano that were selected to represent communities situated at relatively low and high altitudes in the region. 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 fallow periods. Soils were analyzed for total organic C, water-soluble C, particulate organic matter C, and potassium permanganate reactive C. Humic acid from the samples was extracted and analyzed using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transformed (DRIFT) mid-infrared spectroscopy. Results from the permanganate test showed that labile C increased with > 40 yrs fallow and varied among communities. The peak ratios measured by the DRIFT analysis also showed differences among the soil samples with different fallow histories. The findings of this research will assist in determining if appropriate management practices need to be developed to improve soil organic matter in the region.
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    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.
  • Encuesta de línea base estrategias de vida, capitales y prácticas: Municipios de Umala y Ancoraimes, Departamento de La Paz, Bolivia, ciclo 2005-2006
    Valdivia, Corinne (2007)
    A household survey, implemented in 9 communities of two regions of the Bolivian Altiplano, Umala and Ancoraimes, two different ecosystems, was completed in October of 2006. In this seminar the major findings comparing both regions was presented to the research team. It includes the capitals, production systems, and demographic household characteristics, as well as the procedures followed.