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- Andersson, Lotta, et al.
(author)
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Design and test of a model-assisted participatory process for the formulation of a local climate adaptation plan
- 2013
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In: Climate and Development. - : Taylor and Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles. - 1756-5529 .- 1756-5537. ; 5:3, s. 217-228
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article presents the design and testing of a model-assisted participatory process for the formulation of a local adaptation plan to climate change. The pilot study focused on small-scale and commercial agriculture, water supply, housing, wildlife, livestock and biodiversity in the Thukela River basin, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The methodology was based on stakeholders identifying and ranking the severity of climate-related challenges, and downscaled stakeholder-identified information provided by modellers, with the aim of addressing possible changes of exposure in the future. The methodology enables the integration of model-based information with experience and visions based on local realities. It includes stakeholders own assessments of their vulnerability to prevailing climate variability and the severity, if specified, of climate-related problems that may occur more often in the future. The methodology made it possible to identify the main issues to focus on in the adaptation plan, including barriers to adaptation. We make recommendations for how to design a model-assisted participatory process, emphasizing the need for transparency, to recognize the interests of the stakeholders, good advance planning, local relevance, involvement of local champions, and adaptation of Information material to each groups previous experience and understanding.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Lotta, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Local assessment of vulnerability to climate change impacts on water resources in the Upper Thukela River Basin, South Africa : Recommendations for Adaptation
- 2009
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report originates from a project entitled Participatory Modelling for Assessment of Local Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Water Resources (PAMO), financed by the Swedish Development Agency and Research Links cooperation (NRF and the Swedish Research Council). The project is based on interactions between stakeholders in the Mhlwazini/Bergville area of the Thukela River basin, climate and water researchers from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg Campus) and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) during a series of workshops held in 2007-2009. Between the workshops, the researcher’s compiled locally relevant climate change related information, based on requests from the workshop participants, as a basis for this adaptation plan. The aim is to provide a local assessment of vulnerability to climate change impacts on water resources and adaptation strategies. The assessment identifies existing climate-water related problems, current adaptation strategies and recommendations for future action based on likelihoods for change and the severity if such changes will occur.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Lotta, et al.
(author)
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Local early warning systems for drought - Could they add value to nationally disseminated seasonal climate forecasts?
- 2020
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In: Weather and Climate Extremes. - : ELSEVIER. - 2212-0947. ; 28
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Limited application and use of forecast information restrict smallholder farmers ability to deal with drought in proactive ways. This paper explores the barriers that impede use and uptake of seasonal climate forecasts (SCF) in two pilot communities in Limpopo Province. Current interpretation, translation and mediation of national SCF to the local context is weak. A local early warning system (EWS) was developed that incorporated hydrological modelled information based on national SCF, locally monitored rainfall and soil moisture by a wireless sensor network, and signs from indigenous climate indicators. We assessed to what degree this local EWS could improve interpretation of SCF and increase understanding and uptake by farmers. Local extension staff and champion farmers were found to play important knowledge brokering roles that could be strengthened to increase trust of SCF. The local EWS provided added value to national SCF by involving community members in local monitoring, enacting knowledge interplay with indigenous knowledge and simplifying and tailoring SCF and hydrological information to the local context. It also helped farmers mentally prepare for upcoming conditions even if many do not currently have the adaptive mindsets, economic resources or pre-conditions to positively respond to SCF information.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Lotta, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Participatory modelling for locally proposed climate change adaptation related to water and agriculture in South Africa
- 2010
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In: <em><em>Global change: Facing Risks and Threats to Water Resources</em></em>. - : International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS). - 9781907161131 ; , s. 214-220
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The participatory modelling project (PAMO) carried out in the Thukela River Basin, South Africa assessed vulnerability to climate variability and change on water resources through direct involvement of affected groups. The aim was to increase stakeholder confidence and ownership, and create a local adaptation plan. Meetings were held with three stakeholder groups: (a) government authorities, research nstitutes, NGOs, (b) commercial farmers, and (c) small-scale farmers, and complemented with interviews. Based on participants’requests, modellers compiled regionally dynamically downscaled climate change projections, as well as their hydrological consequences. The project focused on agriculture, water resources/infrastructure and biodiversity. Though many future problems were shared, their pre-conditions for dealing with these were vastly different. Knowledge transfer within and across the farming communities and with government agencies on climate change, adaptation measures, and means to procure financing and permits for measures will aid local initiatives to prepare for climate variability and change.
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| 7. |
- Bianco, Federica B., et al.
(author)
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Optimization of the Observing Cadence for the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time : A Pioneering Process of Community-focused Experimental Design
- 2022
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In: Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0067-0049 .- 1538-4365. ; 258:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a ground-based astronomical facility under construction, a joint project of the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, designed to conduct a multipurpose 10 yr optical survey of the Southern Hemisphere sky: the Legacy Survey of Space and Time. Significant flexibility in survey strategy remains within the constraints imposed by the core science goals of probing dark energy and dark matter, cataloging the solar system, exploring the transient optical sky, and mapping the Milky Way. The survey's massive data throughput will be transformational for many other astrophysics domains and Rubin's data access policy sets the stage for a huge community of potential users. To ensure that the survey science potential is maximized while serving as broad a community as possible, Rubin Observatory has involved the scientific community at large in the process of setting and refining the details of the observing strategy. The motivation, history, and decision-making process of this strategy optimization are detailed in this paper, giving context to the science-driven proposals and recommendations for the survey strategy included in this Focus Issue.
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| 8. |
- Clark, Andrew G., et al.
(author)
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Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny
- 2007
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 450:7167, s. 203-218
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution. Despite remarkable similarities among these Drosophila species, we identified many putatively non-neutral changes in protein-coding genes, non-coding RNA genes, and cis-regulatory regions. These may prove to underlie differences in the ecology and behaviour of these diverse species.
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| 9. |
- Goold, Lachlan, et al.
(author)
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The Uncertain Future of the Large-Format Recording Studio
- 2019
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In: Proceedings of the 12th Art of Record Production Conference. - Stockholm : Royal College of Music (KMH) & Art of Record Production. - 9789198386998 ; , s. 119-136
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper investigates new spatial relationships in music production triggeredby the proliferation of low-cost digital music production tools and howthey have changed factors of time and creativity for the record producer. Weaddress the problem through a focused set of production projects and the peerreview of those projects by seven well regarded commercial producers. Putsimply, we are asking whether those producers can determine whether the recordingswere made in large-format or DIY “home” studio environments inblind listening tests.
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| 10. |
- Graham, L. Phil, et al.
(author)
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Seasonal local rainfall and hydrological forecasting for Limpopo communities - A pragmatic approach
- 2022
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In: Climate Services. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8807. ; 27
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper describes the development and testing of a simple local seasonal forecast system of rainfall and hydrological conditions. The primary target group is agricultural extension officers who communicate forecasts to small-scale farmers at local level. Two pilot areas within the Limpopo river basin in South Africa were used, one in the Luvuvhu river basin in Vhembe district and the other in the Letaba river basin in Mopani district. Local rainfall and hydrological forecasts of runoff, soil moisture and evapotranspiration were produced, built on readily available deterministic seasonal meteorological forecasts for large-scale rainfall from CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa), produced from an ensemble of seasonal forecasts using the CCAM (Conformal-Cubic Atmospheric Model) global forecast model. Hydrological forecasts were produced through a "proxy" approach, whereby outputs from the ACRU (Agricultural Catchment Research Unit) agrohydrological model provided expected hydrological responses from observed years that are representative of the rainfall anomalies predicted by the global seasonal forecast. Locally monitored soil moisture augmented the hydrological forecasts. The local seasonal forecast system does not require sophisticated calculations or a complex operational environment and complements coarser scale forecasts disseminated by the provincial departments of agriculture. Results of three rainfall seasons from 2013 to 2016 in the pilot areas showed the proxy approach to have relatively good matches between forecasts and available observations, showing better predictability for below normal rainfall seasons with exception for an extreme monthly rainfall event. The forecasts matched observed conditions best during the strong El Nin similar to o phase of ENSO (El Nin similar to o Southern Oscillation) for 2015/2016.
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