Perception of Climate Variability along the Slopes of Mount Bamboutos, West Cameroon

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of current climate variability on the southern slope of the Mount Bamboutos. Our objective is to contribute to the knowledge in the domain of climate variability in tropical high-altitude environments based on peasant perceptions. The guiding premise is that, in the face of current climate variability, the climate of tropical high-altitude regions is constantly changing. Based on climate data and surveys of 100 peasant farmers; this analysis shows that rainfall is very irregular and interrupted with frequent dry spells. Farmers have a particular way of reading or interpreting the climate or the weather. Their perceptions of climate variability anchors on the position and color of the clouds, the intensity of the sun, the direction and / or the speed of the wind. Climatic trends from 1980 to 2009 and variations in the cumulative number of rainy days and rainfall averages demonstrated great decadal anomalies. The comparative analysis of climatological data between these decades (1980-1989; 1990-1999 and 2000-2009), show that precipitation has more or less decreased along the southern slopes of Mount Bamboutos. In this same time interval, there has been an overall increased in temperatures. The late onset and early end of rainfall have had remarkable impacts on the agricultural calendar. Adaptation options need to be improved upon and indigenous knowledge integrated into adaptation policy.