Using geospatial techniques to assess climate risks in savannah agroecological systems

Abstract

Ghana faces numerous risks due to severe variability in climate and extremes. This is particularly true for the northern savannah belts of the country, where rain-fed agriculture is the predominant source of livelihood. Using drought risk in Sudan Savannah Zone as a proxy, the study employed geospatial techniques to assess the spatial distribution of climate risks in semi-arid Ghana, highlighting the probable implications for food security and agriculture-related livelihoods. Drought risk was spatially mapped in ArcGIS 10.5, using data on indicators such as precipitation, temperature, vegetation, soil, land use/cover, and proximity to water bodies. The results showed that two-thirds of the study area had either moderate or high probability of experiencing droughts in every farming season. The implication is that smallholder farm-households in these hotspots could expect moderate to high losses and damages in relation to crop loss, increased food insecurity, and a general loss of livelihood. The paper demonstrates that identifying risk level and its distribution could promote a paradigm shift from emergency response to climate risk adaptation. The use of spatial mapping for climate risk assessment at subnational level enhances decision-support systems by facilitating effective planning, implementation and monitoring of adaptation strategies.