Abstract:
The ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategy is considered an effective approach to
address the impact of climate change while ensuring the continued provision of ecosystem services
on which farming depends. However, understanding the EbA’s effectiveness for smallholder farmers
in the Savannah region remains limited. The focus of this study is to explore the EbA practices that
have been implemented by farming communities in the Savannah region of Togo. The study aims to
evaluate the effectiveness of these practices and the perceived co-benefits reported by 425 smallholder
farmers who participated in the survey. Our findings show that five practices, namely agroforestry,
crop rotation, grass hedge/stone bunds, in-field water drainage channel, and intercropping, were
practiced mainly by smallholder farmers and perceived as effective in reducing their vulnerability to
climate risks. In addition, the benefits observed were linked to all five EbA practices. As a result, we
can determine the suitable combination of EbA practices that fulfil the requirements of smallholder
farmers, including co-benefits such as food security, adaptation advantages, and ecosystem service
provisions. Such findings provide insights for developing integrated agriculture and climate change
policies suitable for weather-induced disaster-prone areas such as the Savannah region.
Description:
A Policy submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use, the Université de Lomé, Togo in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management
