Research Question and Objectives
Our research question focuses on: how land management in mountains is being affected by three main factors: migration, climate changes (temperature and rainfall patterns) and hazard events in Cochabamba region of Bolivia and Panchase region of Western Nepal, and which measures are needed to increase resilience of livelihoods and land management practices?
The research objective is to explore the interface between people and mountain dynamics under a context of climate change in order to develop policy recommendations for land management and livelihood strategies, disaster risk reduction and implementation of climate adaptation plans.
Methodology
This trans-disciplinary research combines methodologies from physical and social sciences. Physical science methods include: geologic and geomorphologic analysis, satellite images interpretation and mapping. Social science methods include: participatory risk mapping, household survey, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Merging both components, the WOCAT mapping is a tool for assessing land degradation and identifying and evaluating sustainable land management practices.
Disciplines involved – Research Key Words
Disciplines involved: Human-Environment System Science (30%); Human geography (30%), Geomorphology and Geology (30%); Geographic Information System (10%)
Key words: Bolivia, Nepal, mountain communities, livelihoods, sustainable land management, out-migration, climate change, vulnerability, resilience, disaster risk reduction.