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Assessing the vulnerability of food crop systems in Africa to climate change

Challinor, A., Wheeler, T., Garforth, C., Craufurd, P. and Kassam, A. (2007) Assessing the vulnerability of food crop systems in Africa to climate change. Climatic Change, 83 (3). pp. 381-399. ISSN 0165-0009

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1007/s10584-007-9249-0

Abstract/Summary

Africa is thought to be the region most vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change. Agriculture plays a dominant role in supporting rural livelihoods and economic growth over most of Africa. Three aspects of the vulnerability of food crop systems to climate change in Africa are discussed: the assessment of the sensitivity of crops to variability in climate, the adaptive capacity of farmers, and the role of institutions in adapting to climate change. The magnitude of projected impacts of climate change on food crops in Africa varies widely among different studies. These differences arise from the variety of climate and crop models used, and the different techniques used to match the scale of climate model output to that needed by crop models. Most studies show a negative impact of climate change on crop productivity in Africa. Farmers have proved highly adaptable in the past to short- and long-term variations in climate and in their environment. Key to the ability of farmers to adapt to climate variability and change will be access to relevant knowledge and information. It is important that governments put in place institutional and macro-economic conditions that support and facilitate adaptation and resilience to climate change at local, national and transnational level.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Farm Management Unit
ID Code:8378
Uncontrolled Keywords:CIRCULATION MODEL OUTPUT, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, CHANGE SCENARIOS, CHANGE, IMPACTS, AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS, RAINFALL VARIABILITY, SOUTHERN AFRICA, ATMOSPHERIC CO2, CARBON-DIOXIDE, WEST-AFRICA

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