Climate Change, Rural Livelihoods and Ecosystem Nexus: Forest Communities in Agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

Abstract

A top-bottom approach where local problems are treated in isolation has proven ineffective in achieving sustainable development. The need for inclusive approaches to managing the demand for arable lands, forest resources, and the problems of resource exploitation and climate change calls for local understanding of these elements’ interrelationship. Understanding the interrelationships among climate change, agriculture, and the ecosystems in different agroecological zones in Nigeria was the purpose of this chapter. Deforestation and forest degradation analysis approach was utilized. One state and two forest communities from each of the rainforest, savannah, and mangrove agroecological zones were purposively focused in this chapter based on forest distribution and cover. Focus group discussions involving 252 male and female farmers using 30 years as reference were used to garner relevant information. Climate variation caused a slight modification in cropping schedules of farmers due to prolonged dry season, mainly in the savannah region. Farmers engaged in mixed farming and also cultivate more hardy crops like cassava in response to climate uncertainties. Especially in the mangrove and savannah, ecosystem components such as agriculture and population showed increasing trends over the years as forest cover reduces. Downward trend in charcoal production was limited to mangrove and rainforest zones as fishing and hunting becomes vulnerable livelihoods across the zones. The degree and progression of climate change effects on the ecosystem in Nigeria agroecological zones is largely comparable and have both desirable and adverse livelihood outcomes. Affordable insurance policy, credit, agri-inputs, favorable forest regulatory framework, and youth empowerment supports would enhance sustainable adjustment to climate change.

Well-being of rural households around Ikere-Gorge dam in Oyo State, Nigeria

“…This is a proactive decision and leads to upward well-being mobility. The result also agrees with Fadairo et al (2020) who had established the negative implications of environmental changes due largely to human activities on the environment-dependent livelihood and people's well-being.…”

Adoption of Improved Varieties among Rice Farmers in the Kindia Region of Guinea

“…Major constraints reported were insufficient loan ( =2.89), weed infestation ( =2.37), storage losses ( = 2.19), unavailability of land ( =2.13) and low extension activities ( =2.11). The finding that insufficient loan was a constraint to farming in the study area is not far-fetched as most recent studies have revealed the unwillingness of most credit institutions to give loans to farmers due to the general perception that farmers do not repay loans (Appau et al, 2019;Ume et al, 2018) and the high risk associated with crop farming due to the problem of climate change (Fadairo et al, 2020). In addition, the finding is corroborated by Fadairo & keita (2020) who explained poor accessibility to loans for extensive rice production in the Kindia region of Guinea.…”

Climate Change and Economy in Nigeria: A Quantitative Approach

“…Climate change poses a major threat to poverty reduction and sustainable development worldwide, especially in developed countries (Nigeria inclusive). Nigeria has a vast population that is directly dependent on climate-sensitive economic and development sectors (agriculture and fisheries) as well as natural resources (such as water, biodiversity, and grassland) for sustenance and subsistence (Fadairo et al, 2020). Furthermore, the rural majority's adaptation ability to climate change impacts is very limited.…”