DRIVERS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON RURAL LIVELIHOOD IN NASARAWA SOUTH, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigates the primary drivers of climate variability affecting rural livelihoods in Nasarawa South, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Based on field data and community perceptions, deforestation emerged as the most critical driver, identified by 78% of respondents. The widespread clearing of forests for agriculture and fuel has disrupted local climate regulation, leading to decreased rainfall, rising temperatures, and increased soil erosion, all of which undermine agricultural productivity. Unsustainable agricultural practices, including monocropping, overgrazing, and excessive fertilizer use, were cited by 63% of respondents as significant contributors to soil degradation and heightened vulnerability to climatic stresses. Urbanization, particularly in peri-urban areas, was noted by 52% of respondents as a factor increasing flooding and temperature extremes, further impacting rural farming communities. Additionally, 35% of respondents recognized natural climate cycles as influencing irregular rainfall and drought frequency, with these effects exacerbated by human activities. The findings highlight the complex relationship between anthropogenic and natural factors driving climate variability, emphasizing the need for integrated land use management and sustainable practices to safeguard rural livelihoods in the region.