http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/948 2026-04-23T15:11:08Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/314 A Cross Villages Assessment of Environmental Change and Human Mobility in the Dano Watershed, Burkina Faso Dansoko, Binta This Master Thesis aims to build understanding of the factors causing migration in the Dano watershed area. For better understanding, the study analyses the vegetation dynamics as an important environment factor and linked it to migration trends towards the study area. The work uses data collected across two (2) villages, namely Fafo and Dayére, both located in the Dano watershed, South‐Western Burkina Faso. Focus group discussion and household interview were employed for data collection. The national population census data were used to examine the population dynamics and also to make projection for the year 2014. Satellite images were used to measure changes in land cover types for the years 1986, 1999 and 2014. Rainfall data were used to confirm the perception of the farmers about the impact of environmental change related to rainfall variability and change. Pearson correlation analysis revealed the high positive correlation between population size and cropland (coefficient = 0.0419; r2= 0.99) while there was significant negative correlation between population size and vegetation cover (coefficient = -0.1434; r2= 0.93). The vegetation area was progressively converted into croplands with an annual rate of 0.92%. In terms, of migration, the results suggest that the root causes of migration, in the study area, is socioeconomic condition but, environmental change is now influencing on farmers decision to non-farming activities. Finally, the document outlines a set of policy initiatives and recommendations that will lead to better understanding of environmental management. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université de Lomé, Togo in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Human Security 2015-10-01T00:00:00Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/81 The Role of Local Institutions in Farmers’ Households’ Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability: A Case Study of Bongo District, Ghana Yomo, Mawulolo Low rainfalls are already a challenge for crop production in Bongo district, UER, Ghana. But these last decades, the area experienced a decrease in rainfall, and an increase in temperature associated with frequent droughts and storms. These new changes, attributed to climate change leave severe negative impacts on farmers‘ households as they lead to crop failure and death of livestock. However, there are formal and informal institutions, including public, civic and private, intervening in various domains of rural life of farmers‘ households in the area. This study assessed the role of local institutions in farmers‘ households‘ adaptation to climate change and variability. Primary data were obtained through combination of household survey, key informant interview with local institutions, focus group discussions and role playing games in 12 communities in Bongo district while secondary data were gathered from published and non-published papers. Results showed that local institutions facilitate farmers‘ households‘ adaptation by mediating external interventions, by shaping risk and vulnerability associated with drought and by offering them a framework of adaptation options through their supports. However, this study revealed that local institutions are more involved in knowledge and on farm management while farm financial management, investment in infrastructure and diversification (on farm and off farm) are less addressed. Therefore, building local institutions capacity in enabling diversification, farm financial management and investment in infrastructure could amplify their role in enhancing farmers‘ households‘ adaptation to future changes in the climate. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université de Lomé, Togo in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science 2015-10-01T00:00:00Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/80 Impact Assessment of Flood Disaster On Livelihoods of Farmers in Selected Farming Communities in Oke-Ogun Region of Oyo State, Nigeria Okeleye, Sunday Opeyemi Ogun Area of Oyo State, which is widely known as the food basket of South-Western Nigeria, is a flood prone area exacerbated by climate variability. Therefore, this study was carried out mainly to assess the impact of flood disasters on the livelihoods of farmers in Oke-Ogun Region of Oyo state, Nigeria. The data collected through in-depth interview, structured questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions and portable GPS were subjected to analysis, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reveal that farmland’s close proximity to river/stream, limited drainage system, frequent heavy rainfall, limited supports from external bodies during flooding are some of the factors that make the farmers vulnerable to flood disasters. The study also revealed that flooding has huge impact on their farmlands and limited impact on their houses. Furthermore, the study finds that the farmers have very low coping mechanisms as most of them do not have access to insurance facilities and do lack timely and precise flood early warning systems, flood local signs and community flood management committees. The study stresses a significant association between farmers’ vulnerabilities and their livelihoods and recommended that government and relevant agencies should provide adequate drainage system, weather forecast, insurance facilities, and timely and precise flood early warning system to reduce farmers’ vulnerabilities to flood disasters and enhance their livelihoods. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université de Lomé, Togo in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science 2015-11-01T00:00:00Z http://197.159.135.214/jspui/handle/123456789/79 Social Vulnerability to Coastal Erosion: Empirical Assessment of Gunjur Village in The Gambia Gomez, Leroy Albert Muhammed Gunjur village in Kombo South West Coast Region, The Gambia is like several Gambian rural coastal communities vulnerable to the negative impacts of coastal erosion. Wherein such negative impacts are felt by the rural community and influences deleteriously on their livelihood and well-being. Therefore, there is the urgent necessity to reduce the vulnerability of community members such as farmers, fishermen, fish smokers, fish mongers to the impacts of coastal erosion. Furthermore, measuring vulnerability is a key to effective risk reduction and the promotion of a culture of disaster resilience. Thereupon, this study assesses the social vulnerability of households to coastal erosion in Gunjur village by using the MOVE framework. Primary data is obtained through questionnaire administration, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), expert interview and portable GPS Receiver; while secondary data is obtained from published technical documents, and already published related research. The data is analyzed using Statistical and GIS tools. Meanwhile, the study identifies the socio-economic characteristics, the level of exposure, susceptibility, and lack of resilience of the concerned coastal community. Moreover, most of the households interviewed are resource poor and at the same time vulnerable to a slow and creeping hazard such as coastal erosion amidst a changing climate and variability. The key finding during the social vulnerability assessment is that women are more vulnerable than men. This is true when considering things such as the high unemployment rate, illiteracy rate, the percentage of women with no ownership of land, reliance on rain-fed agriculture and the heavy dependence on scare natural resources like firewood. Thus, the urgent necessity for government and relevant authorities to empower women so that they can realize their full potential, and take their rightful place in national development. Amongst the things recommended, are construction of break waters and groins (hard engineering) at strategic locations along the Gambian coast, beach nourishment project (soft engineering), alternative livelihood activities, a robust well integrated policy framework for Climate Change and Natural Resource Management that takes into account sound adaptation and mitigation measures; this will in turn avoid mal-adaptation, build resilience at all levels, thereby reduce vulnerability and enhance human security. A Thesis submitted to the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Université de Lomé, Togo in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science 2015-10-01T00:00:00Z