Potentials of the Forest Resources in Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change in the North Nguu Mountain Block

Abstract

The study intended to establish potentials of forests in adaptation to climate change with references to North Nguu Mountain block communities. The major questions to be answered were as follows: 1. How do forests in the north Nguu Mountain blocks buffer local people to the impacts of climate change? 2. What resources are taped from the forests as a way to adapt to climate variability and change in the study area?To collect data, a questionnaire was administered to a sample population. Also focus groups discussions were conducted in the study villages and finally in-depth interviews with key informants were also usedto collect data. Content analysis was used to analyze collected data. Findings show that people living adjacent to the North Nguu Forests uses forests goods and services as buffers to the impacts of climate change. Resources that are taped from the forests are those that enable communities diversify and broaden their livelihood horizons; these include arable land, timber as well as the non-timber forest productssuch as wild fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables, honey, medicinal plants, grazing fields, game and game products, mining as well as water sources. Local people also benefit from conducive weather conditions i.e. sufficient and timely rainfall events accompanied with moderate temperatures. The study concludes that forests play a significant role in adaptation to climate change in the study area. However, the study also concludes that although most people use forests products and services to improve income and hence the general well being, they poorly conceive the relationship between forests and climate change. This has negative implications on sustainable forest resources use where over utilization and the general forests degradation are likely. The study therefore suggests that policy intervention is urgently required to promote sustainable resources utilization which in turnwill lead to increase of resources taped from the forests for adaptation to climate variability and change.