e-ISSN: 2582-5208 International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science Volume:02/Issue:09/September -2020
Impact Factor- 5.354
www.irjmets.com
CLIMATE CHANGE, BIODIVERSITY AND FOOD SECURITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW *Godfrey C. Onuwa1, Victoria I. Joshua1, Christy O. Nwosueke2 1Federal 2Institute
College of Forestry, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
of Archaeology and Museum Studies, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT This paper reviews the threats posed by climate change to food security and biodiversity. Climate change affects food security and can be very severe on food production. Climate change affects agricultural farming systems in Nigeria. Extreme weather events such as; heavy winds and floods devastate farmlands and can lead to crop failure. Pests and crop disease migrate due to climate variability and potentially pose a threat to livestock. Climate change reduces food availability because it negatively affects the basic elements of food production. Rural communities face increasing risks such as; repeated crop failures, livestock losses and a decline of fishery and forest products. Furthermore, several elements of climate change are estimated to affect all levels of biodiversity. Biodiversity loss due to climate change affects the structure and functions of ecological systems. A comprehensive adaptation and mitigation measure that reduces exposure to adverse climate risks and threats with regards to household food security and biodiversity loss should be adopted. Several adaptation strategies have been recommended for adoption in addressing food security challenges and biodiversity loss attributable to climate variability. KEYWORDS: climate-adaptive plans, climate change, food security, biodiversity.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is defined as several years of persistent pattern of revolving changes in weather characteristics. These are in relation to temperature, pressure, wind, humidity, cloud cover and precipitation. The patterned changes define periods of persistent specific weather element as seasons. Climate change directly affects food security and nutrition. It undermines current efforts to protect the lives and livelihoods of various households. The evidence indicating significant changes in global climate over the past century has been presented in the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [I].The reports indicated that variability and the risk of extreme events and abrupt changes in climate patterns may increase throughout the 21st century. It is paradoxical that Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Africa are the least, however, the effects of climate change on crops, livestock, forest, biodiversity, land and water sources are adverse [II]. Climate change poses a significant threat to Nigerian agricultural system and food security [III]. Agriculture is very sensitive to global warming and climate change [IV]. Agricultural productivity in general could decline between 10% 25% by 2050[III]. Rain –fed agriculture could reduce by 50%. Such trends clearly portend serious threats to Nigeria’s quest to improve her food security level and attain her millennium goals and visions [V]. The dominant role of agriculture makes it obvious that even minor climate deteriorations can cause devastating socioeconomic consequences. Despite understanding the multidimensional nature of food insecurity, it remains a key concern affecting the livelihoods of marginal groups. Therefore, understanding the effects of climate change, as well as its impact on food security and biodiversity loss is critical to making improvements [VI]. These adverse effects are very severe on biodiversity loss and food security [VII]. Biodiversity loss due to climate change significantly affects ecosystem service [VIII]. Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Evidence of an increasing trend of biodiversity decline abounds [VIII]. Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services in the region [IX]. Recent studies also have shown the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in Africa. Increase in global warming results to significant changes in the ecosystem that affects biodiversity through either loss of species or changes in species
www.irjmets.com
@International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[1809]