The history of environmental change and adaptation in eastern Saloum–Senegal—Driving forces and perceptions

Mbow, Cheikh; Mertz, Ole; Diouf, Assane; Rasmussen, Kjeld; Reenberg, Anette

doi:10.1016/j.gloplacha.2008.09.008

Cited by 92 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…Although there is an increasing realization of the interplay of different driving forces for rural development and environmental change in the tropics (Lambin et al 2001, Reynolds et al 2007, Mbow et al 2008, understanding the relative impact of climate factors is not straight forward (Reenberg 2001, Mortimore et al 2005, Reid and Vogel 2006, Ziervogel et al 2006, Reynolds et al 2007, Thomas et al 2007, Tschakert 2007, Barbier et al 2009, Mertz et al 2009b). This debate has gained increasing importance as it is realized that the impacts of climate change, all other things equal, will require significant adaptation in many different sectors of society (Adger et al 2007, Mertz et al 2009a.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The issue has been frequently debated using qualitative information Adams 2001, Nielsen andReenberg 2010a,b) and relatively small samples or localized field sites (Tschakert 2007, Mbow et al 2008, West et al 2008, Barbier et al 2009, Mertz et al 2009b). The general conclusions have often been that it is too complex and difficult to isolate the climate factor from other driving forces of change because decisions taken are often influenced by many nonclimatic conditions, some of which often appear to be more important than the climate factors (Eakin 2005, Ziervogel et al 2006, Reid and Vogel 2006, Tschakert 2007, Mbow et al 2008.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The general conclusions have often been that it is too complex and difficult to isolate the climate factor from other driving forces of change because decisions taken are often influenced by many nonclimatic conditions, some of which often appear to be more important than the climate factors (Eakin 2005, Ziervogel et al 2006, Reid and Vogel 2006, Tschakert 2007, Mbow et al 2008. Understanding the direct impact of climate factors on specific human populations thus requires the unraveling of a complex intertwinement of physical, biological, and socio-cultural systems (Oliver-Smith and Hoffman 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate Factors Play a Limited Role for Past Adaptation Strategies in West Africa

Mertz¹,

Mbow²,

Nielsen³

et al. 2010

E&S

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ABSTRACT. The Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa has experienced recurrent droughts since the mid-1970s and today there is considerable concern for how this region will be able to adapt to future climate change. To develop well targeted adaptation strategies, the relative importance of climate factors as drivers of land use and livelihood change need to be better understood. Based on the perceptions of 1249 households in five countries across an annual rainfall gradient of 400-900 mm, we provide an estimate of the relative weight of climate factors as drivers of changes in rural households during the past 20 years. Climate factors, mainly inadequate rainfall, are perceived by 30-50% of households to be a cause of decreasing rainfed crop production, whereas a wide range of other factors explains the remaining 50-70%. Climate factors are much less important for decreasing livestock production and pasture areas. Increases in pasture are also observed and caused by improved tenure in the driest zone. Adaptation strategies to declining crop production include 'prayer' and migration in the 400-500 mm zone; reforestation, migration, and government support in the 500-700 mm zone; and soil improvement in the 700-900 mm zone. Declining livestock holdings are countered by improved fodder resources and veterinary services. It is concluded that although rainfed crop production is mainly constrained by climate factors, livestock and pasture are less climate sensitive in all rainfall zones. This needs to be reflected in national adaptation strategies in the region.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate Factors Play a Limited Role for Past Adaptation Strategies in West Africa

Mertz¹,

Mbow²,

Nielsen³

et al. 2010

E&S

Self Cite

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“…Water supply and quality  Agriculture, which is predominantly rainfed, already suffers from drought and rainfall variability, which has been increasing in recent decades and is predicted to worsen, with adverse effects on food production [6,11].…”

Section: Ghg Emissions and Air Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The overuse of wood and charcoal for cooking has worsened deforestation and desertification, and these factors coupled with overgrazing and agricultural expansion have led to an almost 50 percent reduction in forest cover since 1965 [5,6].…”

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confidence: 99%

Sustainability Assessment of the Agricultural and Energy Systems of Senegal

Gaudreau

Gibson

2015

Energies

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Abstract:To improve decision-making, sustainability-based approaches to assessment of options and undertakings demand that we move beyond narrowly defined considerations to address the full suite of requirements for progress towards sustainability. This paper reports on a sustainability assessment exercise that originally focused on burning agricultural residues, primarily peanut shells, for cooking applications in Senegal. The scope of assessment had to be expanded to address the agricultural and energy systems of Senegal, when closer examination revealed a complex set of energy and agricultural system interactions that could undermine the anticipated positive effects of initiatives centred primarily on peanut residue cookstoves. The case highlights the need to be open to expanding the scope of assessment to address underlying and/or unexpected issues that cannot be addressed appropriately at the project scale. In particular, the case illustrates how the assessment of an energy system may serve as an entry point into a deeper exploration of the context in which the energy system is embedded. The analysis also illustrates a situation in which different paths that may be followed, each with its own degree of uncertainty, path dependence, feasibility, fairness, cultural sensitivity, trade-off acceptability and possibilities for public judgement of overall desirability. OPEN ACCESSEnergies 2015, 8 3504

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“Africa Talks Climate”

Godfrey¹,

Burton²,

LeRoux-Rutledge³

2012

The Handbook of Global Media Research

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Climate change is one of the most important issues on the global political and economic agenda, yet it has taken at least 20 years to become an international priority. In many ways, this is because climate change was originally communicated as a scientific problem. Complex, confusing, and at times contested scientific information resulted in a slow public and political response to the climate crisis. The climate change debate has also taken place in industrialised nations, among a public largely safe from its worst effects. For many, climate change is an abstract concept.

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The history of environmental change and adaptation in eastern Saloum–Senegal—Driving forces and perceptions

Cited by 92 publications

References 18 publications

Climate Factors Play a Limited Role for Past Adaptation Strategies in West Africa

Climate Factors Play a Limited Role for Past Adaptation Strategies in West Africa

Sustainability Assessment of the Agricultural and Energy Systems of Senegal

“Africa Talks Climate”

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