The effects of climate change-induced flooding on harvest failure in Burkina Faso: case study

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1166913
• Publication Date: 2023-08-08T06:07:14Z
• Authors: Charlotte Müller; Windpanga Aristid...; Maximilian Schwarz; Sandra Barteit; Rainer Sauerborn
• Keywords: Extreme weather; Weather Shocks

Background Climate change leads to more frequent and severe extreme weather events including floods, heatwaves, heavy rainfalls, droughts. In contrast the majority of research on extremes in sub-Saharan Africa, which focus primarily how a lack rainfall causes droughts, this paper aims elucidate effect flooding harvest failure rural Burkina Faso. Methods We conducted case study north-western Nouna, Faso, between August December 2021 covering population n = 180 participants. The comprised four components: (i) interviews with farmers ( 180) whether any their fields had been inundated if so, loss these fields; (ii) determining feasibility using Sentinel-2 satellite images validate participants reports floods; (iii) characterizing short-term frequency duration, within area, as well comparing cumulative (long-term) over past 50 years; (v), estimating both food energy economic due flooding. Results 49% interviewed 88) reported that floods damaged at least one fields. Some 13, 7%) no flooding, while some 14, 8%) lost part harvest. Images from Sentinel-2-Satellite indicated remotely observed were consistent. According time series data local station, there has an increase irregular distribution same annual Nouna. Furthermore, first illustrative calculation allowed us estimate amount when hectare common crop is flooded. Conclusion This demonstrated flood-related failures leading losses exemplified by are likely be substantial. serves proof-of-principle for effects security. could provide detail agricultural adaptation mitigation strategies. Inundation-vulnerable need alternative novel management practices, may only effectively implemented institutions national policy-making bodies receive evidence e.g., remote sensing.