Hydro-climatic changes in the Niger basin and consistency of local perceptions

• DOI: 10.1007/s10113-014-0716-7
• Publication Date: 2014-11-15T02:53:12Z
• Authors: Ganiyu Titilope O...; Fabien C. C. Houn...; Dominik Wisser; Bernd Diekkrüger; Agnide E. Lawin; Ayo J. Odofin; Abel Afouda
• Keywords: Human settlement

Since the 1970s, Niger basin has been characterized by hydro-climatic changes which have significant impacts on local populations. These are not well documented as a result of decreasing observation network for data. Indigenous peoples' knowledge increasingly considered an important component in addressing these data gaps. We evaluated consistency indigenous perceptions and adaptive responses with rainfall river discharge observations basin. Socioeconomic were collected from 239 households 30 communities across two settlements Data historical 1950 to 2010 analyzed was assessed. Generally, there high agreement between perceptions, but climate change dependent social environmental factors that can introduce differences perception despite identical observations. gave good indication most vulnerable sectors who also displayed greatest willingness combat change. results suggest integration into science, especially scarce regions, is highly valuable.