by Mavuto D. Tembo Presented at Suas /TIDI Research for Change Trinity College Dublin

1. A dynamic assessment of adaptive capacity to climate change: A case study of water management in Makondo, Uganda by Mavuto D. Tembo Presented at Suas/TIDI Research for Change Trinity College Dublin 9th November 2010

2. My background • I am a Malawian • My qualifications: Bachelor of science degree in Agriculture and MSc. GI Science (NRM) • I am employed by Mzuzu University in Malawi • I applied for a PhD position in July 2009 • I was enrolled for PhD in January 2010

3. My research focus Makondo Parish • Size is 2.2 square kilometres • Population is over 8000 • Main livelihood means is subsistence agriculture

4. My research focus • Adaptive capacity to climate change for rural communities in developing countries who are more vulnerable to climate change impact • In recent years Makondo Parish has experienced several droughts • Climate change models predict future water scarcity in quality and quantity, thus impacting on people’s livelihoods • A critical question is how individuals will adapt their livelihoods to water scarcity?

5. My research focus • Currently there is no proper approach to facilitate the fusion of knowledge related to climate change adaptation between communities and policy makers. • The way Participatory rural appraisal methods are commonly used is static, while GIS application is at its embryonic stage in adaptation research • There is a need for a dynamic assessment that views water as the nexus of livelihoods activities; and uses participatory geographical information system (PGIS) as new way to assess AC

6. My research questions • My research questions are: • Do communities living in drought- and flood-prone areas have water-related knowledge that can help them adapt to climate change? • How can PGIS help to make local knowledge relevant and usable to other actors for water management and decision-making amidst climate change?

7. My research strategy • My research strategy will occur in four stages: • Stage One: February 2011 – the exploratory stage • Settling down and selecting my two study villages • Stage two: March to June 2011 – fieldwork • Intensive qualitative research using PGIS to understand AC in the two villages

8. My research strategy • My research strategy will occur in four stages: • Stage three: July to August 2011 – fusion stage • Explore possible integration between local and external knowledge using GIS by: • Stage four: September 2011 – wrapping-up stage

9. Expected outputs • At the end of my study I expect to achieve the following: • Reveal how adaptation is perceived, experienced and managed by individuals, households, and communities at rural scale in Africa • Using participatory GIS, my work will help to create a discussion space that includes: information space; argumentation space ; and analysis space for communities , local government, and NGOs which will act as a fusion space for AC

10. My contribution to the community • I will run workshops in each of my study villages on what climate change is, how it might affect them, and why it is important that their AC is understood • I will enable communities to understand local water management within the broader context of adaptation • I will facilitate communities’ AC enhancement by integrating ‘local knowledge’ for water management with other water sector actors’ knowledge

11. Some impression of Makondo • People switch from one source of drink water to another within a year because of: • Drying of water sources • Breakdown of the improved-water source pump • Change in distance to water source within the year • Internal conflict • The external actors in water supply are Mary Medical Missionaries and the Local Government

12. Water sources in Makondo • One protected spring in Makondo Village

13. Water sources in Makondo • Shallow wells

14. Water sources in Makondo • Rainwater harvesting from roof tops into • Cement tanks • Clay pots • 20 litres containers • Underground pits

15. Water sources in Makondo • Water ponds

16. Challenges facing water • Degradation • Erratic rains • Droughts • Lowering of water table • Governance • Technology

17. Thank you all