ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN ARID LANDS: EVIDENCE FROM PASTORAL AREAS OF SENEGAL

Abstract

This paper analyzes the determinants of adaptation options in pastoral drylands and investigates whether adaptation strategies can be used jointly. We assume that decisions can be made jointly as complements or substitutes and investigates whether herders in Senegal adapt to climate change by pursuing multiple strategies. We use a multinomial probit model with primary data collected from 410 herders of Senegalese drylands to identify adaptation determinants. Results show that 73.7% of the surveyed households rely on at least one adaptation strategy including storage of livestock feed, increased mobility, changes in water management, diversification of activities and changes in herd composition. Moreover, we notice that adaptation decisions of pastoral households can be taken jointly and those with mobility do not pursue other adaptation strategies, while those lacking mobility undertake multiple strategies. The diversity of factors explaining adaptation calls for targeted policies that promote adaptation strategies to strengthen the resilience of pastoralists.