A study published in Nature Climate Change by researchers from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences emphasizes the need for localized, community-driven climate adaptation strategies that account for environmental, social, and political factors, rather than a standardized approach.
Farmers in mountainous regions of Africa report changes in local weather patterns, including rising temperatures, reduced fog, shifts in precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
These climatic shifts have led to disruptions in planting and harvesting schedules, increased prevalence of pests and diseases affecting crops, livestock, and human health, and reduced agricultural yields, contributing to food insecurity.
Downstream populations reliant on mountain resources are also affected, with broader implications for food security and public health.
Despite recognition of the vulnerability of mountain communities to climate change, data specific to Africa has been limited, despite the fact that 288 million people live in the continent’s mountainous regions.
To address this gap, researchers interviewed approximately 1,500 smallholder farmers in ten mountainous regions in eight equatorial African countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania.
In most African mountains, there are no meteorological stations or long-term records of crop yields. Just because the changes were not recorded, it does not mean they did not occur.
Aida Cuni-Sanchez, Lead Researcher, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
In the absence of long-term historical data, the study documented farmers' experiences and traditional knowledge to reconstruct past climate trends. The findings indicate that a range of climatic changes have impacted the biophysical environment.
How Can Mountain Communities Adapt to Climate Change?
The study found that mountain communities have adapted their farming practices in response to environmental changes. These adaptations include implementing soil erosion and water management strategies, introducing new crop varieties, increasing the use of agrochemicals, and allocating more resources to veterinary care for livestock.
While the effects of climate change were consistent across all ten mountainous regions studied, adaptation strategies varied among farmers, highlighting the limitations of a standardized approach to climate adaptation.
Adaptation strategies must be tailored to the specific environmental, social, and political dynamics of each mountain region. They should carefully consider the unintended consequences of some national policies and the constraints of ongoing violent conflicts.
Rob Marchant, Study Co-Researcher, University of York
The researchers advocate for increased investment in locally driven adaptation strategies that reflect the specific environmental, social, and political conditions of each region. They emphasize the need for policies that account for these regional differences rather than relying on broad, national-level frameworks.
The findings indicate that national policies may fail to address localized challenges and, in some cases, lead to unintended consequences. Additionally, climate adaptation efforts are particularly complex in regions affected by conflict.
Our study shows that in the conflict-affected English-speaking regions of Cameroon, farmers prefer to focus on farming land near villages; they stopped livestock farming as animals can be easily stolen. But in eastern DRC - where there is also conflict - farmers are stopping farming and focusing on livestock. This is because, when conflict escalates, they can move away and relocate with their cows - but they cannot move their farms and crops. So, one needs to consider each context differently.
Aida Cuni-Sanchez, Lead Researcher, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
“We need collaborative action between local communities and other stakeholders to co-develop sustainable adaptation strategies. Our study shows a need for global support to ensure that mountain communities have the tools, resources, and strategies they need to adapt to climate change and sustain their livelihoods for future generations. That is why we also wrote a policy brief to reach policymakers and practitioners,” added the tropical forest Ecologist and Ethnobotanist.
The profound effects of climate change on mountain communities should not be underestimated. By working with international partners on how land use policy is developed and implemented, we hope to accelerate learning and support change from the ground up.
Rob Marchant, Study Co-Researcher, University of York
Journal Reference:
Cuni-Sanchez, A., et al. (2025) Perceived climate change impacts and adaptation responses in ten African mountain regions. Nature Climate Change. doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02221-w.