The Impact of Climate Change on Desertification in Auchi, EDO State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of climate change on desertification in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. Climate change can be described as the technical term used to denote significant and long-term alterations in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over decades to millions of years. Desertification refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from climatic variations and human activities. This paper identified the natural and anthropogenic causes of desertification in Auchi, the major climatic indices accelerating desertification in Auchi, the impact of desertification on the environment of Auchi, and the adaptation, and mitigation strategies in place at Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. To achieve these objectives, the researcher used both primary and secondary research methods to collect the data required for the study. Four hundred (400) respondents which represent 0.16% (zero point one six percent) of the population in the study area were considered. Following the above, four hundred (400) questionnaires were administered in the study area. The preliminary and actual field surveys revealed that there are 25 communities in the study area, and that the population is unevenly distributed across the study area. Following the above observation, the questionnaires were distributed in the various communities in reflection of their population sizes. The data obtained were analysed using tables, graphs and, percentages. The results reveal the natural and anthropogenic causes of desertification in Auchi, the major climatic indices accelerating desertification in Auchi, the impact of desertification on the environment of Auchi, and the adaptation and mitigation strategies in place at Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the findings of this paper, the following actionable policy recommendations are made: effective and regular creation and promotion of community environmental education on climate change and desertification, cover cropping, irrigation, afforestation, rotational cropping/grazing, controlled lumbering, law against bush burning, controlled use of wood as fuel, planting of drought resistant crops, artificial recharge of water, enforcement of environmental regulation, adoption of environmental building codes, implementation of green building initiatives, and creation of shelter belt in Auch, Edo State, Nigeria. This paper is therefore, concluded by imploring the governments at all levels to implement the list of recommendations made by the researcher.