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Vulnerability, forest-related sectors and climate change adaptation: The case of Cameroon

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  • Sonwa, Denis J.
  • Somorin, Olufunso A.
  • Jum, Cyprian
  • Bele, Mekou Y.
  • Nkem, Johnson N.

Abstract

In Cameroon and elsewhere in the Congo Basin, the majority of rural households and a large proportion of urban households depend on plant and animal products from the forests to meet their nutritional, energy, cultural and medicinal needs. This paper explores the likely impacts of climate-induced changes on the provisioning of forest ecosystem goods and services and its effect on the economic and social well-being of the society, including the national economy and the livelihoods of forest-dependent people. The analysis focuses on four identified vulnerable sectors — food (NTFPs), energy (fuelwood), health (medicinal plants) and water (freshwater) through a multi-stakeholder dialog at national and regional levels. We use a vulnerability assessment framework by combining the elements of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to conceptualize vulnerability in these sectors. The identified sectors in relation to the forest ecosystem are discussed in view of providing an understanding of the sector's potential adaptive capacities for policy intervention. Our analysis presents the possible implications of the vulnerability of these sectors for planning local and national adaptation strategies. Local and national adaptive capacities to respond to climate impacts in the forest sectors includes: reducing poverty, enhancing food security, water availability, combating land degradation and reducing loss of biological diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonwa, Denis J. & Somorin, Olufunso A. & Jum, Cyprian & Bele, Mekou Y. & Nkem, Johnson N., 2012. "Vulnerability, forest-related sectors and climate change adaptation: The case of Cameroon," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:23:y:2012:i:c:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2012.06.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Williamson, Tim & Hesseln, Hayley & Johnston, Mark, 2012. "Adaptive capacity deficits and adaptive capacity of economic systems in climate change vulnerability assessment," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(C), pages 160-166.
    2. Denis Sonwa & Johnson Nkem & Monica Idinoba & Mekou Bele & Cyprain Jum, 2012. "Building regional priorities in forests for development and adaptation to climate change in the Congo Basin," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 441-450, April.
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    5. Kan, Siyi & Chen, Bin & Chen, Guoqian, 2023. "Globalization of forest land use: Increasing threats on climate-vulnerable regions," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    6. Azwihangwisi E. Nesamvuni & Khuthadzo Ndwambi & Khathutshelo A. Tshikolomo & Gabriel R. Lekalakala & Thomas Raphulu & Brilliant M. Petja & Johan Van Niekerk, 2022. "Small-holder farmers knowledge and information on the impact of climate variability & extremes on livestock production in Limpopo & Mpumalanga Provinces," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 27(1), pages 854-869, January.
    7. Bele, Mekou Youssoufa & Sonwa, Denis Jean & Tiani, Anne-Marie, 2015. "Adapting the Congo Basin forests management to climate change: Linkages among biodiversity, forest loss, and human well-being," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1-10.
    8. Tanusri Dey & Nazir A. Pala & Gopal Shukla & Prabhat K. Pal & Ganesh Das & Sumit Chakarvarty, 2018. "Climate change perceptions and response strategies of forest fringe communities in Indian Eastern Himalaya," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 925-938, April.
    9. Paolo Prosperi & Thomas Allen & Martine Padilla & Iuri Peri & Bruce Cogill, 2014. "Sustainability and Food & Nutrition Security," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(2), pages 21582440145, June.

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