THE VULNERABILITY OF SEAWEED FARMERS LIVELIHOODS TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY IMPACTS IN COASTAL AREAS OF UNGUJA ISLAND, ZANZIBAR
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Date
2020-12-01
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SUZA
Abstract
The aim of the study was to identify the level of vulnerability of seaweed farmers to climate change impacts in quantitative way using the approach of Sustainable Livelihood. A sample size of 400 seaweed farmers from coastal community of Fumba zone, Paje zone and Chwaka bay of Unguja Island Zanzibar, were randomly selected and surveyed for data collection
regarding health, food, knowledge and skills, land, forest, water, climate variability and natural disasters, network and relationship, assets and finance. The Exposure, Adaptive capacity and Sensitivity were livelihood indicators to possible climatic risks. This study computed Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and IPCC Vulnerability Index (IPCC-VI). Data aggregated using composite index and differential vulnerabilities contributed to generate
an aggregate level of vulnerability of seaweed community to the adverse effects of overall climate change. The study depicted general level of LVI of the seaweed farmers in Coastal community of Unguja – Zanzibar was 0.547 and IPCC-VI 0.01 (encoded vary of LVI was 0 to 1 and IPCC-VI was -1 to +1). These values showed the relatively high vulnerable situation of the three bays villages of coastal community to the adverse of climate change. The
obtained LVI results in respect to the three bays (Paje zone, Chwaka Bay and Fumba zone) were 0.605, 0.539 and 0.496, respectively. The results of LVI reveal that seaweed farmers in Paje zone were most vulnerable due to low adaptive capacity followed by seaweed farmers of Chwaka Bay and least vulnerable was Fumba zone. Lack of health services, deterioration of
natural resources, social-demographic and food scarcity was making seaweed coastal village more sensitive to the rapid environmental changes. The study recommended promoting the knowledge of climate change awareness to seaweeds farmers and the vulnerability context
Description
the level of vulnerability of seaweed farmers to climate change impacts in quantitative way using the approach of Sustainable Livelihood