title: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the Comoe River Basin (West Africa).
abstract: Climate change is impacting water users in many sectors: water supply, farming, industry, hydropower, fishing, housing, navigation and health. Existing situations, like population growth, movement of populations from rural to urban areas, poverty and pollution can aggravate the impacts of climate change. The aim of the study is to evaluate the vulnerability of different water user groups to climate change and define communities' adaptation strategies in the Comoe River Basin. Information was collected on communities' concerns and perception on changes in climate and potential adaptation measures and strategies. Results show that 95 % of the sample in the study communities had heard of it and are aware that climate change is occurring. They have been experiencing changes in economic activity and cropping pattern, reduced water level in rivers, crop failure, delay in cropping season, new pests and diseases, food insecurity, drop in income and decline in crop yield. Results also show that communities employ various adaptation strategies including crops diversification, substitution and calendar redefinition, agroforestry, borrowing from friends and money lenders and increasing fertilizer application.
authors.affiliation: GRP CC & Water Resources, University Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Wonnan Eugène
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Yéo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Environment Management, University Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Bi Tié Albert
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Goula
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diekkrüger
authors.affiliation: GRP CC & Water Resources, University Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Abel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afouda
keywords: Adaptation strategy; Climate change; Comoe River Basin; Vulnerability; Water user