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<p>Climate change impacts both natural environments and human-made systems, increasing vulnerabilities for all living beings. To evaluate climate vulnerability and highlight the adaptive strategies, this study investigated the socio-ecological dynamics of smallholder farming communities in the Sikkim Himalaya region of India. We used an indicator-based approach, using household-level questionnaires within the IPCC vulnerability framework, to determine the Socio-Ecological Vulnerability Index (SEVI), with values ranging from 0 (least vulnerable) to 1 (most vulnerable). To minimize subjectivity, we applied entropy method to estimate weights for sensitivity and adaptive capacity at the elevation zones. Data was collected through 90 household interviews across 12 randomly selected villages spanning different elevation zones in the Sikkim Himalaya. High-elevation zones showed the greatest exposure, largely due to extreme weather conditions, whereas low and mid-elevations were more affected by erratic rainfall and landslides. Our study results showed that the lower-elevation zone (&lt; 1000 masl) is the most vulnerable, followed by the high and mid-elevation zones. Adaptive capacity varied significantly across elevation zones. The mid-elevation zone had the highest adaptive capacity, surpassing the low-elevation zone and high-elevation zone. Different elevations face distinct climate challenges, highlighting the need for zone-specific adaptation measures. Our results indicated that both ecological and livelihood factors drive sensitivity, and interventions must consider water management, cooperative farming, pest control, and crop diversification across elevations. This study offers practitioners and policymakers targeted insights to improve climate resilience planning in the Sikkim Himalaya and creates a baseline for future regional vulnerability assessments.</p>

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Climate vulnerability of smallholder farming communities along an elevational gradient in Sikkim Himalaya, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月17日

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  • Shiwangi Rai,
  • Animekh Hazarika,
  • Karshita Bharati,
  • Basundhara Chettri,
  • Vallanattu James Jins

摘要

Climate change impacts both natural environments and human-made systems, increasing vulnerabilities for all living beings. To evaluate climate vulnerability and highlight the adaptive strategies, this study investigated the socio-ecological dynamics of smallholder farming communities in the Sikkim Himalaya region of India. We used an indicator-based approach, using household-level questionnaires within the IPCC vulnerability framework, to determine the Socio-Ecological Vulnerability Index (SEVI), with values ranging from 0 (least vulnerable) to 1 (most vulnerable). To minimize subjectivity, we applied entropy method to estimate weights for sensitivity and adaptive capacity at the elevation zones. Data was collected through 90 household interviews across 12 randomly selected villages spanning different elevation zones in the Sikkim Himalaya. High-elevation zones showed the greatest exposure, largely due to extreme weather conditions, whereas low and mid-elevations were more affected by erratic rainfall and landslides. Our study results showed that the lower-elevation zone (< 1000 masl) is the most vulnerable, followed by the high and mid-elevation zones. Adaptive capacity varied significantly across elevation zones. The mid-elevation zone had the highest adaptive capacity, surpassing the low-elevation zone and high-elevation zone. Different elevations face distinct climate challenges, highlighting the need for zone-specific adaptation measures. Our results indicated that both ecological and livelihood factors drive sensitivity, and interventions must consider water management, cooperative farming, pest control, and crop diversification across elevations. This study offers practitioners and policymakers targeted insights to improve climate resilience planning in the Sikkim Himalaya and creates a baseline for future regional vulnerability assessments.