| Farmers throughout West Africa have always faced adverse conditions and high vulnerability with regards to management of their agroecological systems, but climate change poses a new challenge to the sustainability of farming systems. Through field research conducted in the department of Kedougou in southwestern Senegal, I identified and analyzed livelihood strategies, and investigated the effects of climate change on farmer's management of their agroecological systems. Using the rural livelihood framework, I used focus group discussions to assess farmers' management approaches when facing climate related disturbances to agroecological systems. With the survey results, I used a regression model to analyze whether or not agroforestry has impacted farmer livelihood with regards to the valuation of on-farm activities through crop yields and livestock holdings. The lack of statistical significance from the regression model might point towards a lack of impact from agroforestry practices; however, the multiple co-benefits of agroforestry cannot be overlooked to reducing vulnerability. This study shows that West African farmers generally use approaches that enhance the resiliency of their agroecological systems to sustain their livelihoods when facing adverse environmental challenges, but that agroforestry has not shown to impact livelihoods in terms of production. |
