Effects of Climate Change and Variability on Pastoral Resources Availability in South-Eastern Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso

Abstract

The study aims to assess the availability of pastoral resources under climate change and variability within South- eastern Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso. For this purpose, both climatic data (rainfall and temperature) and households’ survey data were retrieved and analysed. The results show a high variability in rainfall from the long- term rainfall pattern of the climatology. Monthly temperature has shown a gradual increase over each month of the year compared to the climatology. According to researchers,these changes and variabilities in rainfall and temperature affect negatively pasture biomass and forage quality within the grazing lands. In the same line, respondents’ perceptions depicted a shortage in the pasture over the last decades, disappearance of forages species (herbaceous, ligneous), and decline in their nutritive quality. A total of 43, 21 and 73 forage species were found threatened/disappeared by respectively Gourmatche, Mossi and Fulani ethnic groups. Finally, from respondents’ perspective the accessibility of forage resources is becoming gradually problematic in host countries (Benin Republic, Togo). The Government of Burkina Faso must undertake a comprehensive study to introduce as much as possible most palatable forage species within the grazing lands where they are threatened/disappeared.