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Vulnerability, forest-related sectors and climate change adaptation: The case of Cameroon

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  • Sonwa, Denis J.
  • Somorin, Olufunso A.
  • Jum, Cyprian
  • Bele, Mekou Y.
  • Nkem, Johnson N.

Abstract

In Cameroon and elsewhere in the Congo Basin, the majority of rural households and a large proportion of urban households depend on plant and animal products from the forests to meet their nutritional, energy, cultural and medicinal needs. This paper explores the likely impacts of climate-induced changes on the provisioning of forest ecosystem goods and services and its effect on the economic and social well-being of the society, including the national economy and the livelihoods of forest-dependent people. The analysis focuses on four identified vulnerable sectors — food (NTFPs), energy (fuelwood), health (medicinal plants) and water (freshwater) through a multi-stakeholder dialog at national and regional levels. We use a vulnerability assessment framework by combining the elements of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to conceptualize vulnerability in these sectors. The identified sectors in relation to the forest ecosystem are discussed in view of providing an understanding of the sector's potential adaptive capacities for policy intervention. Our analysis presents the possible implications of the vulnerability of these sectors for planning local and national adaptation strategies. Local and national adaptive capacities to respond to climate impacts in the forest sectors includes: reducing poverty, enhancing food security, water availability, combating land degradation and reducing loss of biological diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonwa, Denis J. & Somorin, Olufunso A. & Jum, Cyprian & Bele, Mekou Y. & Nkem, Johnson N., 2012. "Vulnerability, forest-related sectors and climate change adaptation: The case of Cameroon," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:23:y:2012:i:c:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2012.06.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Williamson, Tim & Hesseln, Hayley & Johnston, Mark, 2012. "Adaptive capacity deficits and adaptive capacity of economic systems in climate change vulnerability assessment," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(C), pages 160-166.
    2. Denis Sonwa & Johnson Nkem & Monica Idinoba & Mekou Bele & Cyprain Jum, 2012. "Building regional priorities in forests for development and adaptation to climate change in the Congo Basin," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 441-450, April.
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    4. ., 2006. "Vulnerability and Coping," Chapters, in: David Alexander Clark (ed.), The Elgar Companion to Development Studies, chapter 127, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    6. 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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    5. 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.
    6. Azwihangwisi E. Nesamvuni & Khuthadzo Ndwambi & Khathutshelo A. Tshikolomo & Gabriel R. Lekalakala & Thomas Raphulu & Brilliant M. Petja & Johan Van Niekerk, 2022. "Small-holder farmers knowledge and information on the impact of climate variability & extremes on livestock production in Limpopo & Mpumalanga Provinces," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 27(1), pages 854-869, January.
    7. repec:thr:techub:10027:y:2022:i:1:p:870-898 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Thierry C. Fotso-Nguemo & Ismaïla Diallo & Moussa Diakhaté & Derbetini A. Vondou & Mamadou L. Mbaye & Andreas Haensler & Amadou T. Gaye & Clément Tchawoua, 2019. "Projected changes in the seasonal cycle of extreme rainfall events from CORDEX simulations over Central Africa," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 155(3), pages 339-357, August.
    9. Kan, Siyi & Chen, Bin & Chen, Guoqian, 2023. "Globalization of forest land use: Increasing threats on climate-vulnerable regions," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    10. Bele, Mekou Youssoufa & Sonwa, Denis Jean & Tiani, Anne-Marie, 2015. "Adapting the Congo Basin forests management to climate change: Linkages among biodiversity, forest loss, and human well-being," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1-10.

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