Adaptation to climate change in pastoral communities: a systematic review through a social-ecological lens

Purpose – This paper aims to apply a socio-ecological systems framework to demonstrate that pastoral adaptation to climate change necessitates a comprehensive approach. Design/methodology/approach – The authors evaluated the depth of knowledge regarding pastoral adaptation in Africa using bibliometr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Matilda Azong Cho, Onisimo Mutanga, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCCSM-10-2023-0126/full/pdf
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Summary:Purpose – This paper aims to apply a socio-ecological systems framework to demonstrate that pastoral adaptation to climate change necessitates a comprehensive approach. Design/methodology/approach – The authors evaluated the depth of knowledge regarding pastoral adaptation in Africa using bibliometric and content-based analyses. Findings – The analysis of 40 eligible articles, conducted through R Studio, revealed a significant emphasis on climate change adaptation measures. However, there was a noticeable scarcity of research on the role of governance, policy and institutional interventions. Research limitations/implications – The scope of the research is limited to the African continent. Practical implications – This research shed light on how inadequate governance structures and insufficient institutional support, particularly in terms of skills and capacity-building, hinder pastoral communities’ resilience. These limitations may potentially affect pastoral livelihoods adversely, with severe consequences for food security and poverty levels in Africa. Social implications – A comprehensive understanding of the challenges pastoralists face in Africa to adapt to climate change will assist in defining high-level policies and interventions to improve pastoral communities’ adaptation actions. Originality/value – The study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach to ensure a thorough and systematic investigation. Furthermore, using an established framework and clearly defined methods will greatly aid in replicating the research.
ISSN:1756-8692
1756-8706