complex. But the challenge is to integrate huge number of parameters interacting in
and among social, economic, and cultural sub-systems, which are not included
holistically in most of analyses. Hence, appropriate methods and tools along with
field-based case studies on human and biophysical environment with the intervention of climate change would provide better understanding of how paths are
altered and how goals relating to sustainability under a changing climate can be
achieved. As evidenced by the chapters by Anu Susan Sam et al. (Chap. 25),
Himani Prakash (Chap. 21), Parmod Kumar (Chap. 30), P.S. Swain et al. (Chap. 6),
Koppad and Tikhile (Chap. 27), Lakshmi and Indumathi (Chap. 33), Nautiyal and
Schaldach (Chap. 34) and Gawan and Sen (Chap. 18) transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches are in the forefront of this need.
The development of better land use policy (such as land use development at
regional, state or national level) depends on the perceived risks of uncertainties due to
variety of factors—such as climate change, socioeconomic, ecological cultural characteristics of the regions involved, and questions relating to technical feasibility and
policy measures (Klabbers et al. 1996). For effective implementation, the scientific and
technological research should support the policy-making processes. When science and
policy differ then outcomes in the form of policy communication is often problematic.
The chapter by Sunil K Agarwal (Chap. 35) addresses this issue of science policy and
solutions. The research on land use and climate modelling (ex-post; ex-ante) will aid in
making effective science-policy recommendations for climate change, and land use
development (i.e. impact, causes, effects, adaptation and mitigation) at various spatial
scales, all of which will further will help to support better policy formulations and
galvanize institutional innovations. What is required is that scientific information
should meet the requirements of policy demand and should be easily accessible to
policy makers and decision takers. The integrated modelling approach strongly supports this viewpoint (chapter by Nautiyal and Schaldach (Chap. 34) and Schaldach
et al. 2010; Nautiyal et al. 2010, 2013). On the other hand, policy makers and decision
takers should formulate requisite information such a way that is easily understandable
for researchers to provide available scientific information in their deliberations (van den
Hove 2007). Landscape modelling helps to construct frameworks and to organize ideas
and data to understand the complex human-ecological system and specially the spatial
dynamics and processes over different temporal scales. Scenarios used in modelling
involve a hypothetical sequence of future events that consider the fundamental
uncertainties of the future. The research endeavours should focus on developing recommendations for micro levels depicting various geo-climatic regions in country as
evidenced by the chapters by Saikia et al. (Chap. 8) Ankita Mitra et al. (Chap. 20)
Kataktalware et al. (Chap. 31) Chand and Garita (Chap. 15) Kumar et al. (Chap. 24).
There is a need not only for developing strategies at regional or national level (which is
largely a top-down approach) but more importantly, to develop a bottom-up approach
to address climate change, sustainable land use and linked socio-ecological development. Integrated approach should be encouraged to aim at adopting a bottom-up
approach for sustainable land use development, climate mitigation and adaptation
strategies. The need for pilot studies of mitigation and adaptation projects in various
agro-climatic regions is addressed in the chapter by Nautiyal et al. (Chap. 36).
Climate Change Challenge (3C) and Social-Economic-Ecological …
633
and among social, economic, and cultural sub-systems, which are not included
holistically in most of analyses. Hence, appropriate methods and tools along with
field-based case studies on human and biophysical environment with the intervention of climate change would provide better understanding of how paths are
altered and how goals relating to sustainability under a changing climate can be
achieved. As evidenced by the chapters by Anu Susan Sam et al. (Chap. 25),
Himani Prakash (Chap. 21), Parmod Kumar (Chap. 30), P.S. Swain et al. (Chap. 6),
Koppad and Tikhile (Chap. 27), Lakshmi and Indumathi (Chap. 33), Nautiyal and
Schaldach (Chap. 34) and Gawan and Sen (Chap. 18) transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches are in the forefront of this need.
The development of better land use policy (such as land use development at
regional, state or national level) depends on the perceived risks of uncertainties due to
variety of factors—such as climate change, socioeconomic, ecological cultural characteristics of the regions involved, and questions relating to technical feasibility and
policy measures (Klabbers et al. 1996). For effective implementation, the scientific and
technological research should support the policy-making processes. When science and
policy differ then outcomes in the form of policy communication is often problematic.
The chapter by Sunil K Agarwal (Chap. 35) addresses this issue of science policy and
solutions. The research on land use and climate modelling (ex-post; ex-ante) will aid in
making effective science-policy recommendations for climate change, and land use
development (i.e. impact, causes, effects, adaptation and mitigation) at various spatial
scales, all of which will further will help to support better policy formulations and
galvanize institutional innovations. What is required is that scientific information
should meet the requirements of policy demand and should be easily accessible to
policy makers and decision takers. The integrated modelling approach strongly supports this viewpoint (chapter by Nautiyal and Schaldach (Chap. 34) and Schaldach
et al. 2010; Nautiyal et al. 2010, 2013). On the other hand, policy makers and decision
takers should formulate requisite information such a way that is easily understandable
for researchers to provide available scientific information in their deliberations (van den
Hove 2007). Landscape modelling helps to construct frameworks and to organize ideas
and data to understand the complex human-ecological system and specially the spatial
dynamics and processes over different temporal scales. Scenarios used in modelling
involve a hypothetical sequence of future events that consider the fundamental
uncertainties of the future. The research endeavours should focus on developing recommendations for micro levels depicting various geo-climatic regions in country as
evidenced by the chapters by Saikia et al. (Chap. 8) Ankita Mitra et al. (Chap. 20)
Kataktalware et al. (Chap. 31) Chand and Garita (Chap. 15) Kumar et al. (Chap. 24).
There is a need not only for developing strategies at regional or national level (which is
largely a top-down approach) but more importantly, to develop a bottom-up approach
to address climate change, sustainable land use and linked socio-ecological development. Integrated approach should be encouraged to aim at adopting a bottom-up
approach for sustainable land use development, climate mitigation and adaptation
strategies. The need for pilot studies of mitigation and adaptation projects in various
agro-climatic regions is addressed in the chapter by Nautiyal et al. (Chap. 36).
Climate Change Challenge (3C) and Social-Economic-Ecological …
633