Climate change has adversely impacted nature-based value chains in the arid and semi-arid regions. The study investigates the impact of climate change on nature-based value chains in arid and semi-arid environments. With an emphasis on rangeland adaptation in Kenya, the study used the VC-ARID (Value Chains for Arid and Semi-Arid Regions) approach, designed to build climate-resilient value chains in arid and semi-arid regions. The findings reveal that climate change poses significant risks to nature-based value chains, including reduced water availability, increased temperature variability, and changes in precipitation patterns. The study identifies several challenges to value chain development, such as limited access to climate information, financial resources, and supportive policies. It underscores the urgent need to integrate climate resilience into value chain interventions to achieve poverty reduction and food security goals in arid and semi-arid regions. This calls for active collaboration and investment in climate information services, research, and extension services to enhance the adaptive capacity of value chain actors and promote sustainable development in vulnerable regions. Given that climate hazards and changes are context-specific, strategies for improving value chains’ sustainability must be customized to the unique ecological and socioeconomic setting in which the nature-based value chain operates. Consequently, to build value chains that are climate resilient, each actor along the chain must assess climate risks and manage the activities that make up the value chain adaptively.
Tag: climate change
Footprints of meteorology and air pollution on rice yield variation in the North Indian Plain; implications of future climate change scenarios
The global food system faces challenges from climate change and air pollution. Here, we examined their effects on rice yield in the North Indian plain (NIP), one of the principal rice-growing areas of the world. Combining satellite-based biophysical data products and spectral indices with soil moisture and fertilizer usage, we mapped high-resolution rice yield indiscriminately for both irrigated and rainfed systems in the NIP during the summer monsoon from 2004 to 2019. The footprints of meteorology and air pollution on the changing patterns of rice yield were isolated through multivariate linear models. The forced components of these models led to the estimation of relative yield change (RYC), the course of which was later simulated for the future climate change scenarios using CMIP6 data up to 2035. The largest effect on rice yield was estimated due to the variability of maximum temperature (−35 kg ha−1 to 212 kg ha−1) in the meteorological model, followed by aerosol loading (−80 kg ha−1 to 7 kg ha−1) in the air pollution model. The analysis of the RYC and its sensitivity using the CMIP6 climate change scenarios (SSP2 and SSP5) shows that among all agroclimatic regions, the Lower Gangetic Plain in the eastern NIP is resilient to the variability of meteorology and air pollution, while other agroclimatic regions – in the central and western NIP – show a remarkable reduction in their projected yields by 2035. The findings have serious implications for the supply chain and may increase pressure on the grain import due to climate change-driven future states of meteorology and air pollution.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate variability impacts on growth of African grape (Lannea microcarpa Engl & K. Krause) in West Africa
Lannea microcarpa is a deciduous tree with high socio-economic value in West African agroforestry systems. While climate-growth relationships remain unknown, this species is exposed to climate extremes. Knowledge of its response to climate variations is needed for its sustainable management. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the growth of Lannea microcarpa in two climatic zones in West Africa (Sudanian zone of Mali and Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso) using standard dendrochronological methods. In both sites, Lannea microcarpa forms distinct growth ring-boundaries characterized by a wider band with more parenchyma cell rows and is also marked by its solitary vessels. The two standard chronologies developed were significantly correlated with the precipitation records in both Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.41, n = 30 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 =0.60, n = 53 years, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a strong relationship between major seasonal precipitation (between June and September) and residual chronology was observed in Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.51, n = 28 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 = 0.65, n = 52 years, p < 0.001). The formation of annual growth rings is clearly influenced by climate variability, but not all variance is accounted for. The insignificant correlation between the chronologies of the two regions may be due to various factors, including differences in climate factors and soil conditions influencing buffered water availability. Similar studies on other tree species in West Africa will be useful.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate variability impacts on growth of African grape (Lannea microcarpa Engl & K. Krause) in West Africa
Lannea microcarpa is a deciduous tree with high socio-economic value in West African agroforestry systems. While climate-growth relationships remain unknown, this species is exposed to climate extremes. Knowledge of its response to climate variations is needed for its sustainable management. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the growth of Lannea microcarpa in two climatic zones in West Africa (Sudanian zone of Mali and Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso) using standard dendrochronological methods. In both sites, Lannea microcarpa forms distinct growth ring-boundaries characterized by a wider band with more parenchyma cell rows and is also marked by its solitary vessels. The two standard chronologies developed were significantly correlated with the precipitation records in both Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.41, n = 30 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 =0.60, n = 53 years, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a strong relationship between major seasonal precipitation (between June and September) and residual chronology was observed in Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.51, n = 28 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 = 0.65, n = 52 years, p < 0.001). The formation of annual growth rings is clearly influenced by climate variability, but not all variance is accounted for. The insignificant correlation between the chronologies of the two regions may be due to various factors, including differences in climate factors and soil conditions influencing buffered water availability. Similar studies on other tree species in West Africa will be useful.
Climate variability impacts on growth of African grape (Lannea microcarpa Engl & K. Krause) in West Africa
Lannea microcarpa is a deciduous tree with high socio-economic value in West African agroforestry systems. While climate-growth relationships remain unknown, this species is exposed to climate extremes. Knowledge of its response to climate variations is needed for its sustainable management. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the growth of Lannea microcarpa in two climatic zones in West Africa (Sudanian zone of Mali and Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso) using standard dendrochronological methods. In both sites, Lannea microcarpa forms distinct growth ring-boundaries characterized by a wider band with more parenchyma cell rows and is also marked by its solitary vessels. The two standard chronologies developed were significantly correlated with the precipitation records in both Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.41, n = 30 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 =0.60, n = 53 years, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a strong relationship between major seasonal precipitation (between June and September) and residual chronology was observed in Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.51, n = 28 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 = 0.65, n = 52 years, p < 0.001). The formation of annual growth rings is clearly influenced by climate variability, but not all variance is accounted for. The insignificant correlation between the chronologies of the two regions may be due to various factors, including differences in climate factors and soil conditions influencing buffered water availability. Similar studies on other tree species in West Africa will be useful.
Climate variability impacts on growth of African grape (Lannea microcarpa Engl & K. Krause) in West Africa
Lannea microcarpa is a deciduous tree with high socio-economic value in West African agroforestry systems. While climate-growth relationships remain unknown, this species is exposed to climate extremes. Knowledge of its response to climate variations is needed for its sustainable management. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the growth of Lannea microcarpa in two climatic zones in West Africa (Sudanian zone of Mali and Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso) using standard dendrochronological methods. In both sites, Lannea microcarpa forms distinct growth ring-boundaries characterized by a wider band with more parenchyma cell rows and is also marked by its solitary vessels. The two standard chronologies developed were significantly correlated with the precipitation records in both Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.41, n = 30 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 =0.60, n = 53 years, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a strong relationship between major seasonal precipitation (between June and September) and residual chronology was observed in Burkina Faso (r2 = 0.51, n = 28 years, p < 0.01) and Mali (r2 = 0.65, n = 52 years, p < 0.001). The formation of annual growth rings is clearly influenced by climate variability, but not all variance is accounted for. The insignificant correlation between the chronologies of the two regions may be due to various factors, including differences in climate factors and soil conditions influencing buffered water availability. Similar studies on other tree species in West Africa will be useful.