An Assessment of Rural Households Perception of Climate Change in Taraba State, Nigeria
Introduction Climate change represents one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, affecting the environment, economies, and societies in multifaceted ways. Its impacts are disproportionately felt in developing regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where livelihoods are largely dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and forestry [1]. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, faces significant climate-related risks including rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and increasing incidences of flooding. These changes threaten food security, water availability, and health, particularly in rural areas where adaptive capacity is generally low [2]. Taraba State, located in the northeastern region of Nigeria, exhibits a diverse agro-ecological landscape comprising the Sudan Savannah, Northern Guinea Savannah, Southern Guinea Savannah, and Montane zones. These zones are home to numerous rural communities whose livelihoods are intricately tied to natural systems. Consequently, any alteration in the climate system has profound implications for their socio-economic well-being. Despite the evident impacts of climate change, understanding how rural populations perceive these changes remains limited. This knowledge gap is critical because perception influences response and adaptation strategies at the community level [3]. Perceptions of climate change among rural populations are shaped by various factors including ecological location, cultural beliefs, religious orientation, and direct environmental experiences. In some rural Nigerian contexts, changes in climate are not solely attributed to scientific or physical causes but are often linked to spiritual or moral explanations such as divine punishment for societal wrongdoing [4]. Understanding these perceptions is essential for designing context-specific climate change communication and adaptation strategies that are both culturally sensitive and scientifically sound. Although several studies have examined the physical manifestations of climate change in Nigeria, few have focused on local perception, especially in ecologically diverse states such as Taraba. Assessing rural households’ perception is not only important for enhancing scientific knowledge but also for informing policy and grassroots action plans aimed at building resilience to climate shocks. Perception studies can help identify knowledge gaps, promote behavior change, and improve the targeting of adaptation interventions [5]. This study, therefore, seeks to assess rural households’ perception of climate change in Taraba State, Nigeria. It aims to explore how rural residents interpret the causes of climate change, the extent to which their perceptions differ across agro-ecological zones, and the socio-cultural and environmental factors influencing these perceptions. By doing so, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of local environmental cognition and supports the development of tailored climate adaptation policies. Statement of the Research Problem Climate change continues to pose an existential threat to global development, with its impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, especially in rural and ecologically diverse regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, where over 70% of the population depends on climate-sensitive activities such as agriculture and natural resource extraction, the rural populace remains at the frontline of these environmental challenges [2]. Taraba State, characterized by complex agro-ecological zones and a largely rural demographic, is particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, extensive deforestation, and low adaptive capacity. Despite increasing scientific evidence and global awareness of climate change, there remains a significant gap in understanding how rural communities in Nigeria, particularly in Taraba State, perceive the phenomenon. Perception is a key determinant of climate response; it shapes risk appraisal, decision-making, and local adaptation strategies [3, 5]. However, rural perceptions are often influenced not only by direct environmental experiences but also by cultural, religious, and social interpretations. For instance, earlier findings suggest that some rural households in Taraba State attribute climate change to spiritual causes such as divine punishment rather than scientific explanations such as greenhouse gas emissions or land use change [4, 6]. This divergence in perception may result in limited acceptance or misalignment with formal climate change communication and mitigation initiatives. Moreover, variation in perception across ecological zones may further complicate policy formulation and implementation. Without a clear understanding of how rural households interpret climate change and its causes, efforts to promote adaptation and resilience-building at the community level risk being ineffective or culturally inappropriate [1]. While existing studies in Nigeria have predominantly focused on the biophysical impacts of climate change or macro-level vulnerability assessments, little empirical research has been conducted to capture the nuanced, localized perceptions of rural households in Taraba State. There is, therefore, a compelling need to examine these perceptions systematically, identify their socio-cultural and ecological drivers, and assess the extent to which they align with scientific understanding. This study addresses this critical gap by assessing rural households’ perception of climate change across the four agro-ecological zones of Taraba State. It provides evidence-based insights necessary for designing culturally sensitive and geographically targeted climate adaptation policies and education programs. Description of the Study Area Taraba State, located in the northeastern region of Nigeria, lies between latitudes 6°30′N and 9°36′N and longitudes 9°10′E and 11°50′E (Fig. 1). It shares international boundaries with the Republic of Cameroon to the east and national boundaries with Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Benue, Nassarawa, and Plateau States. With a land area of approximately 54,473 square kilometers, it ranks among the largest states in Nigeria by landmass [7]. Taraba State exhibits diverse topographical and ecological characteristics shaped by its position on the windward side of the Cameroon Highlands. The state’s landscape ranges from low-lying plains in the north to high-altitude mountainous terrains in the southeast, notably in the Mambilla Plateau region which rises to over 1,800 meters above sea level. This ecological variability contributes to its classification into four major agro-ecological zones: the Sudan Savannah, Northern Guinea Savannah, Southern Guinea Savannah, and the Montane zone. These ecological zones influence not only the state’s biodiversity and agricultural productivity but also how communities experience and respond to climate-related changes. For instance, the Montane zone experiences cooler temperatures and higher rainfall, while the Sudan Savannah in the north is drier and more prone to desertification and drought. The state experiences a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: the rainy season (April to October) and the dry season (November to March). Annual rainfall varies between 800 mm in … Read more