Evaluating the climate change–induced vulnerability of the Pichavaram Mangrove ecosystem through a stakeholder-centric multiscale approach

Abstract

Mangrove-inhabited coastal areas are seriously threatened by climate change that disturbs the sustenance of dependent native communities. This study assesses the status of climate variables to identify and evaluate climate change–induced vulnerabilities to fishers and recommend mitigation measures at a regional scale in the Pichavaram Mangroves, a Ramsar wetland of international importance in India. The time series climate data (1951–2021) revealed an insignificant increase in annual rainfall (p< 0.05) and a significant increasing trend (p> 0.05) for mean annual temperature. The results of the stakeholder-based approach (n = 240) indicate that mangrove dwellers experience ecological and health-based vulnerabilities and estuarine fishers face community and nutritional issues. Fishers of this wetland are prone to resources (60.5) and user-based vulnerabilities (59.03). The overall vulnerability index places fishers of the mangrove/estuary (T.S.Pettai: 54.13; Killai: 53.04; Pichavaram: 52.91) more vulnerable than the marine region (Mudasalodai: 49.84). This study suggests social networking, skill development, awareness of welfare schemes, ecotourism and sustainable fishing, climate research for developing mitigation strategies, and fisheries enhancement to combat climate change impacts. Furthermore, building resilience among the stakeholders and resource management through a citizen science approach is crucial to lessen climate change vulnerability in coastal wetlands in India, and elsewhere.