title: Climate variability and environmental stress in the Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa.
abstract: Environmental change in the Sudan-Sahel region of West Africa (SSWA) has been much debated since the droughts of the 1970s. In this article we assess climate variability and environmental stress in the region. Households in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria were asked about climatic changes and their perceptions were compared across north-south and west-east rainfall gradients. More than 80% of all households found that rainfall had decreased, especially in the wettest areas. Increases in wind speeds and temperature were perceived by an overall 60-80% of households. Contrary to household perceptions, observed rainfall patterns showed an increasing trend over the past 20 years. However, August rainfall declined, and could therefore potentially explain the contrasting negative household perceptions of rainfall trends. Most households reported degradation of soils, water resources, vegetation, and fauna, but more so in the 500-900 mm zones. Adaptation measures to counter environmental degradation included use of manure, reforestation, soil and water conservation, and protection of fauna and vegetation. The results raise concerns for future environmental management in the region, especially in the 500-900 mm zones and the western part of SSWA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Geology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. om@geo.ku.dk
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mertz
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'haen
authors.forename: Abdou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maiga
authors.forename: Ibrahim Bouzou
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barbier
authors.forename: Awa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diouf
authors.forename: Drissa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: Evariste Dapola
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Da
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dabi
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D057231:Climate Change; D003625:Data Collection; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D011891:Rain; D013997:Time Factors