Title: Assessment and Monitoring of Climate Change Effects on Wildlife Species and Ecosystems for Developing Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies in the Indian Himalayan Region

Background

Climate change has become a major driver of ecological patterns and processes, and in determining well-being of human societies across the globe. Evidences suggest that responses of species to impacts of climate change are inter-alia manifested in changes in phenology, earlier onset of spring, migration, and lengthening of growing seasons. The effects of climate change are pronounced in places such as the Himalaya, where the network of snow-clad mountains, ice-peaks, high intensity drainage and precipitation characterises the bio-social landscape. The goal of this project is to develop strategies to mitigate climate change effects on wild animal species and ecosystems in the IHR. The thematic areas identified under the research project include terrestrial and aquatic System, human ecology and spatial ecology. The project sites have been identified across IHR considering the river catchments as representative ecological units. 

Objectives

• Identify the drivers of landscape change (climate and anthropogenic) in the IHR (Ganges river basin) and their effects on the ecological and social systems.
• Conduct focused research on wildlife aspects (terrestrial and aquatic fauna and their habitats) and human dimensions in IHR (Ganges River Basin) for framing evidence based policy measures.
• Develop monitoring and Decision Support System (DSS) for indicator species in the IHR (Ganges River Basin).
• Undertake climate change scenario analyses and visualization for predicting potential effects on fauna and ecosystems as a strategy to communicate with stakeholders and to influence Policy and decision making
• Develop spatial and inter-operable database to facilitate policy decision making
• Build capacities within WII and of other stakeholders for sensitization and development of action plans for climate change impact mitigation and to enhance capabilities for negotiations at the national and international forum.

Coordinating Institute

Collaborating Institutes

• GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development , Almora
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
• National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow,
• Birbal Sahni Institute for Paleobotany, Lucknow
• University of British Columbia, Canada

Task Force Coordinators