Impact of Climate Change Vulnerability on Forest and Range Species in North Darfur States, Sudan

The methods for assessing climate change vulnerability in Africa are not designed to be easily modified. Finding the appropriate methods for assessing climate change risk is one of the most difficult steps in Africa as general and in Sudan in particular. Therefore, this study was conducted in three localities in North Darfur State (NDS) during 2019 with aim to asses’ climate change vulnerability by using the NDVI and Aridity Index (AI) and to study the impact of climate change on forestry and range species. Three methods were used (1) Remote sensing method (2) Focus group discussion and (3) Key informant interview (KII). According to MODIST and LAND SAT-8 data about 57.1% of locality of Kalamendo was classified as highly vulnerable to climate change, 42.7% as moderate vulnerable and 0.2% as slight vulnerable. In El Koma locality about 59.2% from the locality area was classified as highly vulnerable 40.5% as moderate vulnerable and 0.03 are classified as slightly vulnerable. In Mellit locality 99.1% of the locality is classified as highly vulnerable, 07% as moderately vulnerable and the rest of locality as slightly vulnerable. It was observed that Mellit locality is highly affected by climate change vulnerability. The results from focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interview showed that the forest cover and range conditions were highly deteriorated an affected by climate change. The targeted localities experienced drought spells during the periods 64, 72, 75, 85 and 1992 which lead to crop failure, death of livestock and massive people displacement. According to FGD and KII the coping strategies during the drought and famine period include; use of seeds of grasses and tree species as famine foods, selling assets; displacement of local communities to the nearest towns and reduce food consumption. Therefore, the study recommended using alternatives for energy and building materials sources. This includes solar energy and stabilized soil blocks. Furthermore, capacity building of communities on sustainable forests management, establishment of villages’ nurseries and, establishment of community/private forests and improve stove (Azza, Elsurur and easy avi-stoves) to minimize dependency on the traditional stove/three stone stove. The recommendations for improvement of range condition in NDS include adoption of water harvesting techniques, equal distribution of water point, rehabilitating of range land by reseedings of perennials palatable range species, opening of the fire lines, range improvement by broadcasting of seeds to enrich the soil seeds banks and improvement of the poor animal genetic stocks.