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Drivers of vulnerability to climate change and adaptive responses of forest-edge farming households in major agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

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Abstract

An understanding of forest communities’ risk factors for climate variation, adaptation trajectories, and how agroecological differences shape their responses are critical to future policy formulation in Nigeria. Therefore, drivers of vulnerability to climate change and adaptation options of forest communities’ farming households in major agro-ecological zones of Nigeria were investigated. Data were collected, using an interview schedule, from 183 forest-edge households in savanna, mangrove, and rainforest agro-ecologies. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. Respondents cultivated 6.4 ± 2.6 acres of farmland. Changes in rainfall patterns were most experienced in the rainforest and savanna whereas, it was temperature fluctuation in the mangrove. Crop farming was the worst hit by climate change among other livelihoods. Crop rotation in the savanna and mangrove (\(\overline{x}\) = 2.12; 2.44, respectively), and mixed farming in the rainforest (\(\overline{x }\) = 2.52) were top adaptation priorities while crop insurance was the least. Low paying livelihood alternatives (\(\overline{x }\) = 1.54), illiteracy (\(\overline{x }\) = 1.73), and lack of infrastructure (\(\overline{x }\) = 1.38) were major social vulnerability drivers of climate change in the savanna, mangrove, and rainforest, respectively. Major political and economic drivers were inconsistent government policy and poverty, respectively. The use of adaptation measures was not significantly different in the agro-ecologies, whereas, the livelihood impact of climate change was (F = 9.990; p < 0.05). Social and environmental drivers of vulnerability to climate change differ in the forest communities, and adaptation priorities varied according to zones.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the Forestry Commission, Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Agricultural Development Programme of Ogun, Niger, and Cross River states for the assistance received in accessing the remote areas where this study was conducted. The farmers are gratefully acknowledged for sparing their time to participate in the survey. The partnership support received from the United Nations Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (ESDA) programme is gratefully acknowledged. The administrative and editorial assistance rendered by Dr Anjolaoluwa Oreoluwa Fadairo is well appreciated.

Funding

This work was supported under the Climate Impact Research Capacity and Leadership Enhancement (CIRCLE) Visiting Fellowship programme funded by the UK Department for International Development. Neither the findings nor the views expressed, however, necessarily reflect the policies of the UK Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Olushola Fadairo & Olufolake Adelakun

  2. Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Samuel Olajuyigbe

  3. Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Tolulope Osayomi

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  1. Olushola Fadairo
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  2. Samuel Olajuyigbe
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  4. Tolulope Osayomi
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Correspondence to Olushola Fadairo.

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The researchers obtained permission to conduct the study from the village authorities. Individual verbal consent was also obtained from the study participants prior to their participation in the survey. All information was kept confidential, and the data were analyzed anonymously.

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Fadairo, O., Olajuyigbe, S., Adelakun, O. et al. Drivers of vulnerability to climate change and adaptive responses of forest-edge farming households in major agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. GeoJournal 88, 2153–2170 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-022-10741-1

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