Perceived Effect of Climate Change on Forest Dependent Livelihoods in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the perceived effect of climate change on forest dependent rural livelihoods in Oyo State, Nigeria with the view of identifying possible adaptation strategies. A total of 208 respondents were randomly sampled from Olokemeji and Onigambari forest reserves in Oluyole and Ibarapa East LGA, respectively. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, percentages and inferential statistical tools such as Chi square and PPMC. Result shows that most farmers were males (68.3%), married (85.6%), had primary education (63.0%), Christians (68.3%), had farm size less than 5ha (98.6%), while 45.7% earned up to 20,000 monthly. Major livelihood activity was farming (100.0%) and trading of forest products (92.8%). Respondents were vulnerable to climate change effects with respect to undefined season (90.4%), shortage of food production (84.1%), reduction in crop yield (80.8%), pest and disease outbreak (77.9%) which affects their livelihood activities. Respondents’ perception of climate change effects was high (74.8%) and the level of adaptation strategies utilized is more than average (53.6%). Major adaptation strategies utilized were soil protection through tree planting (88.5%), planting of different varieties of NTFPs and TFPs (87.0%), practicing shifting cultivation (81.8%) and use of organic fertilizer (81.7%). Respondents indicate that change in rainfall pattern (61.1%), storm (49.0), flooding (48.1%) and landslide (45.7%) had serious effect on their livelihood activities. Significant relationship existed between farm size (r=-0.257; p<0.01), monthly income (r=-0.319; p<0.01) and perceived effect of climate change. Adaptation strategies (r=0.309; p<0.05) used was significantly related with perceived effect of climate change. Afforestation should be encouraged among forest dependent farmers in addition to adaptation strategies utilised against climate change. Keywords: Climate change, livelihood activities, forest products