Jain, Meha

Organization(s): 
Stanford University

Social-ecological systems, or systems where ecosystems and humans are inextricably linked, are facing unpredictable pressures and shocks due to global change and unsustainable human use of natural resources. I am broadly interested in understanding how social-ecological systems can be managed sustainably and be made more resilient to environmental change. My dissertation research focuses on how human communities respond and adapt to environmental shocks, particularly those related to climate change. Specifically, I am studying how agricultural communities in India adapt to inter-annual monsoon variability. Using both remote sensing and structured household surveys, I will identify which socio-economic, perceptional, and biophysical factors are associated with successful adaptation to climate variability.

Research Interests: 
vulnerability and adaptive capacity in social-ecological systems
shadow