Skip Navigation

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Climate change and food security in tropical West Africa - A dynamic-statistical modelling approach

  Home

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Paeth H, Capo-Chichi A, Endlicher W
2008
Erdkunde. 62 (2): 101-115

The relationships between climate and agricultural production in Benin, tropical West Africa, are elucidated using predictions from a high-resolution regional climate model. The aim is to detect the sensitivity of various mainly alimentary crops cultivated in tropical Africa to changing climate conditions due to increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations and ongoing land degradation. This knowledge is of practical relevance since the predominant cultivation of less vulnerable crops may be an appropriate adaptation strategy in order to maintain or improve food security in Africa. Model output statistics are used to transfer simulated climate variability to changing crop yield. It turns out that the statistical relationships between climate and agricultural production are very strong, amounting in part to more than 50% of explained variance at the interannual time scale. Especially summer monsoon precipitation and relative humidity represent reliable predictors of crop yield. Until 2025, the dryer and warmer climate in tropical Africa may come along with a decrease in agricultural production with respect to most crops. The reduction is in the amount of 5 to 20%, implying severe problems of food security given the increasing population density. However, yams and manioc, as major alimentary crops in Benin, appear to be less sensitive to climate change.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

    Ecosystem Change, Food Security, Meteorological Factor, Precipitation
    • Ecosystem Change, Food Security, Meteorological Factor, Precipitation: Crop/Plant Food Security
    Tropical
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Africa
    Malnutrition
    Exposure Change Prediction
    Long-Term (>10 years)
    Research Article
    Adaptation
    • Adaptation: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Vulnerability Assessment
    Special Report on Emissions Scenario (SRES)
Back
to Top