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Exploring vulnerability and adaptation to climate change of communities in the forest zone of Cameroon

Author

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  • Mekou Bele
  • Anne Tiani
  • Olufunso Somorin
  • Denis Sonwa

Abstract

Understanding vulnerability to the impacts of global environmental change and identifying adaptation measures to cope with these impacts require localized investigations that can help find actual and exact answers to the questions about who and what are vulnerable, to what are they vulnerable, how vulnerable are they, what are the causes of their vulnerability, and what responses can lessen their vulnerability. People living in forests are highly dependent on forest goods and services, and are vulnerable to forest changes both socially and economically. In the Congo basin, climate change effects on forest ecosystems are predicted to amplify the existing pressure on food security urging expansion of current agricultural lands at the expense of forest, biodiversity loss and socioeconomic stresses. The paper aimed at exploring vulnerability and adaptation needs to climate change of local communities in the humid forest zone of Cameroon. Field work was conducted in two forest communities in Lekié and in Yokadouma in the Center and Eastern Regions of Cameroon respectively. The assessment was done using a series of approaches including a preparatory phase, fieldwork proper, and validation of the results. Results show that: (a) the adverse effects of climate conditions to which these communities are exposed are already being felt and exerting considerable stress on most of their livelihoods resources; (b) drought, changing seasons, erratic rain patterns, heavy rainfall and strong winds are among the main climate-related disturbances perceived by populations in the project sites; (c) important social, ecological and economic processes over the past decades seemed to have shaped current vulnerability in the sites; (d) Some coping and adaptive strategies used so far are outdated; and specific adaptation needs are identified and suggestions for facilitating their long-term implementations provided. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Mekou Bele & Anne Tiani & Olufunso Somorin & Denis Sonwa, 2013. "Exploring vulnerability and adaptation to climate change of communities in the forest zone of Cameroon," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 119(3), pages 875-889, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:119:y:2013:i:3:p:875-889
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-013-0738-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shackleton, Charlie M. & Shackleton, Sheona E. & Buiten, Erik & Bird, Neil, 2007. "The importance of dry woodlands and forests in rural livelihoods and poverty alleviation in South Africa," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(5), pages 558-577, January.
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    4. Thaddeus Nzeadibe & Chukwudumebi Egbule & Nnaemeka Chukwuone & Agwu Agwu & Victoria Agu, 2012. "Indigenous innovations for climate change adaptation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 14(6), pages 901-914, December.
    5. Molua, Ernest L. & Lambi, Cornelius M., 2007. "The economic impact of climate change on agriculture in Cameroon," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4364, The World Bank.
    6. H. Brown & Johnson Nkem & Denis Sonwa & Youssoufa Bele, 2010. "Institutional adaptive capacity and climate change response in the Congo Basin forests of Cameroon," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 263-282, March.
    7. Genesis Yengoh & Augustin Tchuinte & Frederick Armah & Justice Odoi, 2010. "Impact of prolonged rainy seasons on food crop production in Cameroon," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 825-841, December.
    8. Mekou Bele & Olufunso Somorin & Denis Sonwa & Johnson Nkem & Bruno Locatelli, 2011. "Forests and climate change adaptation policies in Cameroon," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 369-385, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olufunso A Somorin & Ingrid J Visseren-Hamakers & Bas Arts & Anne-Marie Tiani & Denis J Sonwa, 2016. "Integration through interaction? Synergy between adaptation and mitigation (REDD+) in Cameroon," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 34(3), pages 415-432, May.
    2. Nomfundo Sibiya & Mikateko Sithole & Lindelani Mudau & Mulala Danny Simatele, 2022. "Empowering the Voiceless: Securing the Participation of Marginalised Groups in Climate Change Governance in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Andreas Haensler & Fahad Saeed & Daniela Jacob, 2013. "Assessing the robustness of projected precipitation changes over central Africa on the basis of a multitude of global and regional climate projections," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 121(2), pages 349-363, November.
    4. Ramiro Ahumada-Cervantes & Gilberto Velázquez-Angulo & Hugo B. Rodríguez-Gallegos & Edith Flores-Tavizón & Rubén Félix-Gastélum & Jaime Romero-González & Alfredo Granados-Olivas, 2017. "An indicator tool for assessing local vulnerability to climate change in the Mexican agricultural sector," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 137-152, January.
    5. H.M. Tuihedur Rahman & Gordon M. Hickey, 2020. "An Analytical Framework for Assessing Context-Specific Rural Livelihood Vulnerability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-26, July.
    6. Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S. & Sachet, Erwan & Vanegas, Martha & Piispanen, Kyle, 2016. "Are the major imperatives of food security missing in ecosystem services research?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 19-31.
    7. Rahman, H.M. Tuihedur & Mia, Md. Ekhlas & Ford, James D. & Robinson, Brian E. & Hickey, Gordon M., 2018. "Livelihood exposure to climatic stresses in the north-eastern floodplains of Bangladesh," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 199-214.
    8. Tuihedur Rahman, H.M. & Robinson, Brian E. & Ford, James D. & Hickey, Gordon M., 2018. "How Do Capital Asset Interactions Affect Livelihood Sensitivity to Climatic Stresses? Insights From the Northeastern Floodplains of Bangladesh," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 165-176.
    9. Terence Epule Epule & Christopher Robin Bryant, 2014. "Maize Production Responsiveness to Land Use Change and Climate Trends in Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-14, December.

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