The main objectivee of this paper is to understand climate change adaptation and coping mechanism used somali pastoralist to cope climate change hazard. Somali Pastoral communities have their own indigenous knowledge to their environments and develop various adaptation strategies to cope with climate risk, stress and shocks.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA
3. INDIGENOUS FORECASTING METHOD USED PASTORALIST FOR CLIMATE VARIABILITY
4. TRADITIONAL COPING AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF SOMALI PASTORALIST
4.1 Seasonal Movement
4.2 Splitting of Herds and Families
4.3 Eating wild trees (Qadhaabsi)
4.4 Land closure
4.5 De-Stocking and Re-Stocking
4.6 Livestock diversification
4.7 Livestock sharing and gift
4.8 Changing amount of food and feeding time and saving calves
4.9 Planting drought tolerant and early maturing crops
5. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the various indigenous and modern climate change adaptation strategies employed by pastoral communities in the Chereti District, Somali Region, Ethiopia, to mitigate the impacts of climate variability on their livelihoods and livestock production.
- Vulnerability of pastoral production systems to climate change
- Indigenous knowledge and forecasting methods for climate variability
- Traditional coping mechanisms including herd mobility and livestock diversification
- Socio-economic challenges affecting pastoralist resilience
- Integration of traditional practices with modern adaptation strategies
Excerpt from the Book
TRADITIONAL COPING AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF SOMALI PASTORALIST
Somali Pastoral communities have their own indigenous knowledge to their environments and develop various adaptation strategies to cope with climate risk, stress and shocks. Adaptation has been identified as frequently involving local action – sometimes at the level of individual coping strategies and risk management – and is usually done in response to present climate variability (Lemmen .et. al 2008).
Somali pastoralist use different types of adaptation strategies such as selling livestock and its product, livestock diversification, seasonal movement, consuming wild food, cultivating Sudan grass for animal feeding (newly adapted mechanism) which is motivating by the governments and NGOs. Indigenous and scientific knowledge of adaptation strategies should be integrated to overcome effects of climate change and ensure the sustainability of pastoral livelihoods.
Sahan (scouts). Sahan (scout) is a major source of information about the weather and climate change, since they are periodically on move in search of better pasture and water for their animals. Sahan system also plays a pivotal role on decision making processes on migration patterns. Normally, the assessment include, distance and condition of pasture and water, estimation on how long the fodder and water sustain a given number of livestock, type of fodder and others.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides an overview of how climate change affects global production systems, emphasizing the extreme vulnerability of pastoralist communities in Ethiopia due to climatic, infrastructural, and socio-economic factors.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA: This section details the geographical and demographic context of the Chereti district, describing the pastoralist-dominated lifestyle and the seasonal rainfall patterns that dictate livestock survival.
INDIGENOUS FORECASTING METHOD USED PASTORALIST FOR CLIMATE VARIABILITY: This chapter examines the traditional knowledge systems used by Somali pastoralists to predict climatic fluctuations, including the observation of animal behavior, plant phenology, and celestial signs.
TRADITIONAL COPING AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF SOMALI PASTORALIST: This core chapter categorizes specific resilience strategies ranging from herd mobility and diversification to social support mechanisms like livestock gifting and land closure.
CONCLUSION: The concluding chapter summarizes the adaptation portfolio of the pastoralists and discusses the urgent need to integrate these practices with scientific interventions to address long-term sustainability challenges.
Keywords
Pastoralism, Climate Change, Adaptation Strategies, Somali Region, Ethiopia, Livestock Diversification, Indigenous Knowledge, Drought Resilience, Migration, Chereti District, Food Security, Coping Mechanisms, Rangeland Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research focuses on the adaptation strategies used by pastoral communities in the Chereti district of Ethiopia to survive the detrimental effects of climate change and variability.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The key themes include livestock management, indigenous climate forecasting, socio-economic challenges, traditional mobility patterns, and strategies for risk mitigation during severe drought.
What is the main goal of the work?
The primary goal is to identify and document both traditional and modern adaptation mechanisms that pastoralists use to maintain their livelihoods amidst unpredictable weather patterns.
What scientific methods are utilized?
The work relies on the documentation of indigenous knowledge, observational data of pastoral systems, and a literature-based review of local practices and environmental challenges.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the environmental description of the study area, the specific methods used for climate forecasting, and a detailed list of adaptation strategies like herd splitting, seasonal migration, and livestock diversification.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The most defining keywords are Pastoralism, Climate Change, Adaptation Strategies, Somali Region, Drought Resilience, and Indigenous Knowledge.
Why is the "Sahan" system important for pastoralists?
The Sahan (scouts) system is crucial because it provides real-time, ground-level information on pasture and water availability, which is essential for making informed decisions regarding livestock migration.
What impact does climate change have on pastoralist children?
Increasing environmental stress requires families to travel longer distances, which often forces children to be removed from school to assist their families with herding tasks or household support.
What is the role of "Livestock sharing and gift" in this community?
This practice serves as a vital social safety net, allowing poor families to access essential resources like milk and livestock assets, thereby strengthening community resilience against localized shocks.
- Quote paper
- Mahad Hassan (Author), 2020, Climate Change Adaption Strategies of Local Pastoral Communities. A Case of Chereti District, Somali Region, Ethiopia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1155009
