Forest Dweller's Perceptions and Adaptive Strategies of Climate Change mitigation in the Kenikeni Forest Reserve of Northern Ghana

Abstract

The study examined forest dwellers' perceptions of climate change in northern Ghana's Kenikeni Forest Reserve with related threats and adaptive stratagems. 240 respondents were randomly sampled from four (4) fringing communities, namely Sonyo, Kanato, Kabampe, and Grupe, and 60 respondents were selected from each of the communities. The data were collected and analyzed using percentages, frequency distributions, and Correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between farm size and adaptive strategies. The results illustrate that the vital livelihood activities were farming. Respondents indicated that vague season (22.5%), food scarcity (25%), declining yield (35.83%), and pest and disease infestation (37.5%) were climate change effects that affected their livelihood activities. The main adaptive stratagems utilized were the planting of trees (40.83%), shifting cultivation (34.17%), integrated fertilizer management practices (10%), and different planting times (15%). The correlation between adaptive stratagems (r=0.627) and farm size (r=-0.571) was significant concerning the perceived climate change effects. The practice of planting trees should be fortified between forest dwellers and the utilization of adaptive stratagems to fight climate change. The survey commends forest dwellers' education on the significance of protecting the environment against the losses in finance due to the effects of climate change.