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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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Project • ARCP2013-03CMY-Herath, ARCP2012-03CMY-Herath, ARCP2011-13NMY-Herath

Developing Ecosystem based Adaptation Strategies for Enhancing Resilience of Rice Terrace Farming Systems against Climate Change

Rice terrace systems in Asia have evolved over thousands of years into beautiful landscapes giving rise to rich cultural practices. However, some complex combination of challenges now confronts the survival of the rice terraces and its communities. The research initially focused on the structural stability of Ifugao rice terrace systems in the Philippines and the Hani rice terrace system in China. However, in response to needs identified, the project expanded to take a holistic approach considering not only ecological resilience but also societal and economic resilience.

For the Hani rice terraces in China, a strategy centred on ensuring water security is proposed to promote equitable and sustainable development. Development of physical infrastructure in the form of upstream water ponds and establishing institutions to regulate and protect groundwater in downstream are proposed to achieve this. For the Ifugao terraces in the Philippines, an integrated approach to traditional Muyong forest management supported by REDD+ funding is proposed for livelihood enhancement and for managing water. Early warning of slope stability and rainfall forecasts systems installed in the study site will be used to continuously enhance local capacity for climate information use and improve understanding of the ecological functions of the terrace system.

Project publications

Peer-reviewed publication • 2019

Climate change and traditional upland paddy farming: a Philippine case study

Peer-reviewed publication • 2019

REDD+ implementation in community-based muyong forest management in Ifugao, Philippines

Peer-reviewed publication • 2018

Quantifying the role of traditional rice terraces in regulating water resources: implications for management and conservation efforts

Report • 2017

Project Final Report: ARCP2013-03CMY-Herath

Peer-reviewed publication • 2015

Spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture in water source region of Hani Rice Terraces

Report • 2015

Overview of Rice Terrace Farming Systems in Hani and Ifugao: Water Management and Current Threats

Report • 2015

Ensuring Water Security for the sustainability of the Hani Rice Terraces, China against Climate and Land Use changes

Report • 2015

Bias-corrected Daily Precipitation Estimates in the Ifugao Rice Terraces under Climate Change Scenarios

Report • 2015

Assessment on the feasibility of REDD+ in Nagacadan Rice Terraces of Ifugao and its muyong forest

Report • 2015

Study of Institutional and Governance Arrangements for Achieving Water Security in the Hani Rice Terraces

Report • 2015

Surface and Groundwater Flow Response to Climatic Change in the Ifugao Rice Terraces

Peer-reviewed publication • 2014

Assessment on water source stability of the Hani Terrace landscape based on river-ditch connectivity

Peer-reviewed publication • 2012

Strengthening the socio-ecological resilience of forest-dependent communities: The case of the Hani Rice Terraces in Yunnan, China

Peer-reviewed publication • 2012

Indigenous ecological knowledge and natural resource management in the cultural landscape of China’s Hani Terraces