Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
wax. The bees derive nectar from the trees for their honey and this, in turn, fosters
pollination of the trees. This is especially so in the Sekesua-Osonson demonstra-
tion site where the practice has evolved from the use of traditional earthen pots as
hives to the use of modern wooden beehives. Prospects are promising for further
expansion in the other demonstration sites where PLEC is encouraging popular
awareness of beekeeping as a means of improving livelihood. The initial small-
scale beekeeping has expanded to cover many more farmers within the demon-
stration site with both material and financial support from Heifer Project
International, an international NGO.
Additional biodiversity conservation strategies include sacred groves of forests
(as in Gyamfiase), taboos, and reverence for certain plant species. Like other
land uses of their kind, sacred groves are protected and improved by vigilance,
sanctions, firebelts, buffer zones, and replanting. In the past few years these have
been propagated with PLEC support.
Conclusion
There is sufficient evidence of significant climatic variability in the study areas.
The climatic analysis showed that there is a general decline in the amount of
rainfall received, while temperature is on the increase. These two trends have
affected the water balance of the areas, leading to moisture deficit. To overcome
the problem of moisture deficit, early-maturing crops are cultivated.
Farmers have several indigenous ways of predicting the suitability or otherwise
of an impending planting season. They also have various strategies for countering
environmental degradation.
These strategies are manifested by the diversity of resource management and
cropping systems, which in turn are based on indigenous knowledge of manage-
ment of the fragile and variable environment, local genotypes of food crops,
intercropping, and agroforestry systems. Other strategies include beekeeping,
snail raising, and plant nursery establishment.
REFERENCES
Asante, F., “Adaptation of farmers to climate change: A case study of selected farming
communities in the forest-savanna transitional zone of southern Ghana”, unpublished,
M.Phil thesis submitted to the Department of Geography and Resource Development,
University of Ghana, Legon, 2001.
Benneh, G., “Water requirements and limitations imposed on agricultural development in
Northern Ghana”, in I. M. Ofori, ed.,
Factors of Agricultural Growth in West Africa
,
Legon: ISSER, 1971, pp. 71-80.
