Vulnerability of agroecosystems to climate change in the Sahel

Abstract

CONTEXT

Climate change is influencing the integrity of agroecosystems, with negative impacts on food security, by modifying the crop types used and by altering the plant physiological and biochemical processes that sustain ecosystem service provisioning. In this new environmental context, understanding the spatial patterns and dynamics of climate change agroecosystems face is important for effective conservation and management.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates agroecosystems vulnerability to climate change through exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.

METHODS

The Shannon Entropy Weight method was employed to estimate the relative weights for individual indicators across the categories of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Indicators of exposure included change in temperature, precipitation variability, and natural disasters. Sensitivity was measured using crop production, livestock density, and distance from deforestation. Adaptive capacity was assessed by evaluating sustainable livelihood assets. These components were integrated into a vulnerability index to inform targeted management approaches.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Ethiopia was identified as the country with the highest overall vulnerability, closely followed by Niger and Nigeria. These countries exhibited the highest vulnerability scores in the study, with Ethiopia showing the most pronounced levels of vulnerability.

SIGNIFICANCE

Mapping vulnerability assessment informs sustainable agroecosystems in climate change adaptation.