Exploring vulnerability and adaptation to climate change of communities in the forest zone of Cameroon
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
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 climaterelated
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in the sites; (d) Some coping and adaptive strategies used so far are outdated; and specific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.
Description
item.page.type
Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Keywords
CLIMATE CHANGE, COMMUNITIES, FOREST, CAMEROON, ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE, CONGO BASIN FOREST
Citation
Bele, M.Y., Tiani, A.M., Somorin, O.A., & Sonwa, D.J. (2013).Exploring vulnerability and adaptation to climate change of communities in the forest zone of Cameroon. Climatic Change (119), 875-889.doi:10.1007/s10584-013-0738-z