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Abstract

The impact of climate variability on socio-economic and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in wetland ecosystem in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State was studied. Current global concern is focused on climate change which is deeply intertwined with global patterns of inequality. Based on growing projections due to climate variability in Nigeria and how to understand the impacts of increasing shifts in temperature, rainfall, storms, floods and erosion creates the need for this study. Assessment of socio-economic characteristics was carried out using primary and secondary source data. A well-structured questionnaire, focal group discussions and key informant interviews were mainly the primary data, while secondary data were obtained from published works, newspaper articles and meteological stations. Within the research period, data on the physical and biological environment including rainfall pattern, wind speed, relative humidity, and temperature were obtained from a meteorological station in Abia State. Data obtained were analysed using microsoft excel 2007, principal component analysis and data were presented in frequency distribution, percentage, means and trend/radar analysis. From this study it was observed that climate variability had significant impact on the socio-economic characteristics and livelihood of smallholder�s farmers due to a variety of factors, including low adaptive capacity, limited resource distribution and poverty. Experiences of increased rainfall led to deterioration of roads and other infrastructure and lowered sales/business volume in most communities. Therefore, it has become imperative for the State to respond to climate variability by ensuring that policies and programmes are tailored towards preserving the environment for sustainable economic development. And all sectors should encourage community participation and active roles in all livelihood development initiatives. Keywords: Climate variability, Socio impact assessment, Livelihood, Vulnerability.

Biography

Nwakanma Chioma is an Environmental Biologist with special interest in Environmental Pollution Studies. She has a BSc. in Fisheries with 2nd class upper division from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria; MSc. in Animal and Environmental Biology with specialization in Hydrobiology and Fisheries and PhD in Animal and Environmental Biology at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She is an active member of the following professional bodies; Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON); Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN); Graduate Women in Science, USA (GWIS); Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OSWD); Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIA); Association of Nigerian Women Academic Doctors International (ANWAD); Coastal Zone Community of Practice (CZCP) of the Group on Earth Observation(GEO); International Association of Risk and Compliance Professionals (IARCP); Foundation for African Development through International Biotechnology (FADIB) and Netherland Fellowship Alumni Association (NFA). She has attended diploma courses on General Health, Safety and Environment (HSE 1, 2 and 3) and Environment/ Waste Management organised by Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals (NISP), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She has published in several International and National journals and conference proceedings. She has attended several conferences and workshops within and outside the country. She has about 40 publications to her areas of expertise and research interest.