Perceptions of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Study Area
2.2. Study Design
2.3. Participants
2.4. Data Collection and Analysis
2.5. Trustworthiness
2.6. Ethical Considerations
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Perceptions of Climate Change
3.2. Subsistence Crops of Mogalakwena Community
3.3. Climate Change Impacts on Subsistence Crop Production
3.4. Adaptation to the Impacts of Climate Change
3.4.1. Adaptation to Drought and Rain Scarcity
(1) Rainfall Prediction
(2) Knowledge of the Seasons
(3) Change of Crops
(4) Mixed Cropping
3.4.2. Adaptation to Changing Soils Structure
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Scientific Names | Local Name | Product |
---|---|---|
Zea mays L. | Lefela | Maize |
Vigna sinensis End b. | Monawa | Beans |
Voandzeia subterranean Thou. | Tloo-marapo | Beans |
Sorghum vulgare Pers. | Nyoba | Sweet-reed |
Citrullus vulgaria Schrad vars. | Morotse/Mogapu/ | Melon |
Cucurbita pepo L. | Mofodi | Melon |
Lagenaria vulgaris Ser. | Moraka | Gourd |
Climate Hazard | Consequences and Threats to Crop Production | No. Participants Reported |
---|---|---|
Drought | Planting of crops is inconsistent | 79 |
In some years there is no planting at all | ||
Scarce rain | Planting commences late December | 83 |
to early January the following year | ||
Low crop yields | ||
Excessive heat | Withering of immature crops | 76 |
Increased crop failure | ||
Barren soil | ||
Heavy rain and strong winds | Soil washed away by wind and rain | 89 |
Shallow soils | ||
Loss of soil fertility | ||
Crops damaged by strong wind |
Adaptation Measure | Sustainable Crop Production | No. Participants Reported |
---|---|---|
Rainfall prediction | Plan planting according to predicted rainfall | 98 |
Knowledge of seasons | Planting soon after the first rain during the rainy season | 65 |
Change of crops | Planting short-season crops instead of late maturing ones | 93 |
Mixed cropping | Maximizes simultaneous growth of several crops in the same field | 94 |
Use of kraal manure | Improves soil structure and fertility to increase crop yields | 99 |
Turning the soil with the crop residues | Prevents soil erosion | 91 |
Improves soil structure and fertility to enhance crop yields |
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Rankoana, S.A. Perceptions of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Sustainability 2016, 8, 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080672
Rankoana SA. Perceptions of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Sustainability. 2016; 8(8):672. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080672
Chicago/Turabian StyleRankoana, Sejabaledi A. 2016. "Perceptions of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in a Rural Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa" Sustainability 8, no. 8: 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080672