Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Range & Forage Science
Abstract
Ecosystems provide climate-change adaptation opportunities including ecosystem services, adaptation benefits and
livelihood improvement especially for natural resource dependent communities. To contribute to the understanding
of location specific adaptation processes of predominantly agro-pastoralists, a study was carried out in the central
cattle corridor of Uganda to characterise ecosystem-based drought Adaptations. A cross sectional survey using
semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were employed among
183 randomly selected households. The ecosystem-based adaptations (EbAs) to perceived drought impacts were
characterised basing on ecosystem services, adaptation benefits to drought and livelihood improvement categories
unveiling the different proportions of each EbA under each category. Water shortage and intense heat were the major
perceived drought impacts. The use of drought resistant shade trees, water reservoirs and dams, and alternative
ecosystem-based livelihoods were the majorly utilised EbAs. The alternative ecosystem-based livelihoods were the
mostly used EbA dominating all the three categories. The utilisation of drought resistant shade trees dominated
the ecosystem services and adaptation benefits categories, whereas the use of water reservoirs and dams were
the mostly used EbA for livelihood improvement. These EbAs should be incorporated in climate-change adaptation
policies and initiatives, while considering their subsequent dominating categories to enhance farmers’ resilience.
Description
Keywords
Agro-pastoral farming, Adaptation benefits, Biodiversity, Climate change, Livelihood,, Rangeland
Citation
Susan Nanfuka , David Mfitumukiza & Anthony Egeru (2020) Characterisation of ecosystem-based adaptations to drought in the central cattle corridor of Uganda, African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 37:4, 257-267, DOI: 10.2989/10220119.2020.1748713