Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Resources in South Sudan: A Case Study of Rejaf County, Jubek State

Abstract

This study focused on the Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Resources in South Sudan: A case study of Rejaf County, Jubek State. The paper aims to find out the impacts of climate change on forest resources in Rejaf County and identifying some of the natural impacts on the forest resources and the biodiversity which can be affected by climate change in the area. The paper also wanted to examine the methods of forest conservation and afforestation in Rejaf County. The study findings stated: root causes of climate change in the area constituted the expansion of population settlement in the area which caused the impacts to the forest lands due to overpopulation in the area, imbalance of rainfall (precipitation) due to climate change in the area.

In this study, a personal interview and questionnaire method were used for the aim of data collection. Also, a secondary source was employed. In data analysis, the descriptive statistical method was used for the purposes of collecting information on the impacts of climate change in Rejaf County. An analysis of data presented in the paper, the frequencies, percentages as well as tables employed. The study recommended that government should provide alternative suitable energy resources for the community in the areas, to improve the livelihood of people of Rejaf County instead of concentrating on the forest for building charcoal, and firewood in the area. Also, the government should offer job opportunities for the citizens in the County through Vocational Training Centers in the area. The government should empower the youths, elders through capacity building and awareness programs to avoid the attitudes of deforestation which contributed to the climate change in the area.