Climate change perception and local adaptation of natural resource management in a farming community of Cameroon: A case study

Abstract

Climate change is perceived by communities at different levels and their adaptation measures are often corresponding to local understanding and realities. A socio-economic survey and field observations were conducted among 95 Bàkì farmers in the Ntui district of Central Cameroon, to examine the community's perception of the changes observed and the adaptation measures undertaken locally. Apart from the relative homogeneity of its community, the area was chosen for its climatic conditions. This area is characterized by a bimodal rainfall pattern on the one hand and by a transitional rainfall pattern between the bimodal patterns of the far south and the unimodal pattern of northern Cameroon. The study found that the Bàkì community has developed a classification of the climatic seasons through the changes observed over time, namely the increase in temperature, the decrease in rainfall, and the resurgence of extreme events such as the recurrence of violent winds and drought. The classification confirms the locally important changes in climate that affect the agricultural calendar and thereby the planning of the community's socio-economic activities. In response to the effects observed, the farmers have developed an adaptation strategy that includes reverting to more appropriate farming practices and more resistant varieties. Notably, the farmers use a reading grid of climatic and environmental variations as a reference to decide on adaptive actions and adaptation measures. The study results reconfirm that perception of climate change is strongly influenced by age and education.