Climate variability and environmental stress in the Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa
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Climate variability and environmental stress in the Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa. / Mertz, Ole; D'haen, Sarah Ann Lise; Maiga, Abdou; Bouzou Moussa, Ibrahim; Barbier, Bruno; Diouf, Awa; Diallo, Drissa; Da, Evariste Dapola; Dabi, Daniel.
In: Ambio, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2012, p. 380-392.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - Climate variability and environmental stress in the Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa
AU - Mertz, Ole
AU - D'haen, Sarah Ann Lise
AU - Maiga, Abdou
AU - Bouzou Moussa, Ibrahim
AU - Barbier, Bruno
AU - Diouf, Awa
AU - Diallo, Drissa
AU - Da, Evariste Dapola
AU - Dabi, Daniel
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Environmental change in the Sudan-Sahel region of West Africa (SSWA) has been much debated since the droughts of the 1970s. In this article we assess climate variability and environmental stress in the region. Households in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria were asked about climatic changes and their perceptions were compared across north–south and west–east rainfall gradients. More than 80% of all households found that rainfall had decreased, especially in the wettest areas. Increases in wind speeds and temperature were perceived by an overall 60–80% of households. Contrary to household perceptions, observed rainfall patterns showed an increasing trend over the past 20 years. However, August rainfall declined, and could therefore potentially explain the contrasting negative household perceptions of rainfall trends. Most households reported degradation of soils, water resources, vegetation, and fauna, but more so in the 500–900 mm zones. Adaptation measures to counter environmental degradation included use of manure, reforestation, soil and water conservation, and protection of fauna and vegetation. The results raise concerns for future environmental management in the region, especially in the 500–900 mm zones and the western part of SSWA.
AB - Environmental change in the Sudan-Sahel region of West Africa (SSWA) has been much debated since the droughts of the 1970s. In this article we assess climate variability and environmental stress in the region. Households in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria were asked about climatic changes and their perceptions were compared across north–south and west–east rainfall gradients. More than 80% of all households found that rainfall had decreased, especially in the wettest areas. Increases in wind speeds and temperature were perceived by an overall 60–80% of households. Contrary to household perceptions, observed rainfall patterns showed an increasing trend over the past 20 years. However, August rainfall declined, and could therefore potentially explain the contrasting negative household perceptions of rainfall trends. Most households reported degradation of soils, water resources, vegetation, and fauna, but more so in the 500–900 mm zones. Adaptation measures to counter environmental degradation included use of manure, reforestation, soil and water conservation, and protection of fauna and vegetation. The results raise concerns for future environmental management in the region, especially in the 500–900 mm zones and the western part of SSWA.
U2 - 10.1007/s13280-011-0231-8
DO - 10.1007/s13280-011-0231-8
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 22270527
VL - 41
SP - 380
EP - 392
JO - Ambio
JF - Ambio
SN - 0044-7447
IS - 4
ER -
ID: 38277012