Browsing by Author "Antwi-Agyei Philip"

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    Adaptation as a Means to an End: Conceptual Underpinnings and Empirical Affirmations
    (Science Publishing Group, 2022) Abdulai Nelson Winfred; Amoako Clifford; King Rudith; Antwi-Agyei Philip; Kwofie Samuel; 0000-0002-8599-474X
    Rooted in the concept of adaptation are change, action, stimulus, means and end. Whilst these elements are fundamental in clarifying the complex actor relationships surrounding adaptation, literature has tended to concentrate on the end (adaptation practice). Inherent in the provisions of interventions aimed at minimizing the specific impacts of climate change is the notion that adaptation will be automatically triggered. This article, which focuses on concepts and theories, argues that adaptation is more than mere action or what is usually described as the end. Using the Theory of Action (ToA) and the Framework for Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation as Actions (FACCAA), this article attempts to clarify the relationships between the key terminologies and contributes to knowledge on the adaptation discourse. Using empirical shreds of evidence from the Talensi District, the article underscores the proposition that water interventions are not necessarily adaptation practices neither are they automatic activators of adaptation. They are rather means expected to propel action for adaptation. The article concludes that elements, such as change, action, and means, are of equal importance as the popularly documented adaptation practice (end). All the elements deserve equal attention to unravel the complexities underpinning the concept of adaptation.
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    Implications of changes in land use on soil and biomass carbon sequestration: a case study from the Owabi reservoir catchment in Ghana
    (Taylor & Francis, 2023) Amissah Eric; Adjei-Gyapong Thomas; Antwi-Agyei Philip; Asamoah Eric; Abaidoo R. C; Jeppesen Erik; Neumann Andersen Mathias; Baidoo Emmanuel
    Land use changes affect soil and biomass carbon sequestration potential of the agroecosys tems of most Sub-Sahara Africa facing rising temperatures due to global climate change. One such ecosystem is the Owabi reservoir catchment in Ghana, which has undergone extensive changes in land use through urbanization. Our study aimed to determine the impact of the spatial and temporal variability of the different land uses on soil and biomass carbon storage in the Owabi catchment. Land use/cover maps were elaborated using SPOT satellite images of 30 30-m resolution and Erdas Imagine and ArcGIS Pro softwares. Soil and vegetation were sampled along three transects in the Y plane in early 2014. Nested plot design and temporary sample plots of 50 50 m were demarcated within a 1 ha plot in each of the land uses. Trees, herbs and litter were sampled to assess aboveground carbon, and soil samples were taken at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depth. Belowground (root) biomass was calculated using the root:shoot ratio. Seven (7) land use types – dense forest, sparse for est, grassland, cropland, wetland, settlement, and excavated land – were identified and differences in carbon stocks were assessed. Soil carbon stock (0–30 cm) ranged from 51.80 Mg/ha in dense forest to 7.00 Mg/ha in excavated land. Our study showed that the conversion of forest lands to other land uses through excavation resulted in about 30-folds loss in carbon and also a major loss of carbon in the catchment from c. 1.4 106 Mg C in 1990 to 0.55 106 Mg C in 2014. Enhancing forests or growing trees to sequester carbon seems to be the optimum choice among the seven land uses if the introduction of paymentfor environmental services options is considered.
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    Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Owabi Reservoir Catchment, Ghana: Implications for Livelihoods and Management
    (MDPI, 2019) Antwi-Agyei Philip; Kpenekuu Felix; Hogarh ,Jonathan N.; Obiri-Danso Kwasi; Abaidoo R. C; Jeppesen Erik; Andersen Mathias Neumann
    Reservoir catchments in Ghana have undergone significant changes in recent years with major implications for socio-economic development and local livelihoods. We studied land use and land cover changes and their impacts on livelihoods in the Owabi reservoir catchment from 1970 to 2014 using Landsat, ERDAS Imagine and Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS 10.2) software supplemented with participatory approaches including focus group discussions, key informant interviews and questionnaire surveys with 400 households. Our results showed that, since 1970, 24.6% of high-density forests and 15.8% of sparse forests have disappeared, while the built-up areahas increased from 9.8% to 56.6%. Additionally, the proportion of bare soil (areas that do not have vegetation cover due to forest clearing and other anthropogenic activities) has increased, while the areas of waterbodies have declined. We identified urbanisation and lack of community involvement in catchment management as the key factors driving the land cover changes that have adversely affected the livelihoods of the local fringe communities. This study highlights the threats from urbanisation to land cover changes and identifies the key drivers of land use change. For effective and sustainable management of natural resources, the local communities should be more actively involved in the decision-making process regarding the management of their individual catchments.
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    Opportunities and barriers for using climate information for building resilient agricultural systems in Sudan savannah agro-ecological zone of north-eastern Ghana
    (Elsevier, 2021) Antwi-Agyei Philip; Dougill Andrew J.; Abaidoo R. C; 0000-0002-1235-2252
    Empirical evidence on the opportunities and barriers to the uptake of climate services by smallholder farmers for resilient agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. This paper addresses this important gap by evaluating the opportunities and barriers to the uptake of climate information (from short-term weather fore casts, through seasonal forecasts to longer-term climate change information on decadal timescales) by small holder farmers in the Sudan savannah agro-ecological zone of Ghana. The paper answers the following research questions: i) what kinds of weather and climate information are available and accessible to smallholder farmers for agricultural management decision-making? ii) what opportunities exist for using climate information in agricultural systems in the Sudan savannah agro-ecological zone? iii) what are the key barriers to the uptake of climate information by smallholder farmers in the Sudan savannah agro-ecological zones of Ghana? The study used participatory approaches including household surveys with 555 farmers, 3 stakeholder workshops, 15 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions across 6 communities in the Sudan savannah agro ecological zone. Findings show that more than a third of the study respondents (40%; n = 555) were not receiving climate information. Out of the 60% receiving climate information, the majority (91%; n = 335) indicated receiving information on rainfall with fewer respondents 21% and 26% receiving information on temperature and windstorms, respectively. Radio was the key medium for receiving weather and climate in formation. Both female and male smallholder farmers were using climate information to make critical farming decisions including time of land preparations (79%), crop variety selection (50%), changing cropping patterns (36%), planting time adjustments (31%), harvesting time (21%) and disease/pest management (10%). Increasing uptake of weather and climate information is confronted with multiple barriers including inadequate information on seasonal forecast for long-term planning, low accessibility of climate information, high levels of illiteracy, difficulties in understanding technical language used in communicating climate information and misalignment between the climate information provided and what smallholder farmers need. Climate information should be linked directly to agricultural imp
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    Use of Limiting Nutrients for Reclamation of Non-responsive Soils in Northern Ghana
    (Frontiers in Soil Science, 2021) Asei Rechiatu; Abaidoo R. C; Opoku Andrews; Adjei-Nsiah Samuel; Antwi-Agyei Philip
    A better understanding of soil fertility factors that constraint positive crop response to fertilizer inputs will facilitate the improvement of soil nutrient management. In this study, a nutrient omission trial was carried out in a greenhouse condition to identify soil chemical properties limiting in non-responsive soils and to ascertain their effect on soybean (Glycine max) production. The treatments evaluated were control (distilled water), complete nutrient solution (all nutrients), and complete solution with the omission of each of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, B, and Mo) arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. After the greenhouse study, the identified limiting nutrients were tested with or without FertiSoil (commercial compost) in a 3 year field experiment. Results of the soil analyses showed low fertility status of the non-responsive soils. The sufficiency quotient index revealed non-responsive soils in all the sites to be predominantly limiting in P and K. The occurrence of other limiting nutrients was also identified: Pishegu (Zn, B), Serekpere (Mg, S), Daffiama Saapare (Ca, Mg, S), and Naaga (Mg, S, Zn, B). The nutrient inputs positively influenced soybean yield response in all the locations. The application of PKZnB with FertiSoil and FertiSoil alone significantly increased soybean grain yields by 585 and 477 kg ha−1, respectively, at Pishegu. Soybean grain yields also increased by 585, 573, and 364 kg ha−1 under the FertiSoil, PKMgS + FertiSoil, and PKMgS applications at Serekpere, respectively. At Daffiama Saapare, the highest (103%) percent increase in soybean grain yield was recorded from the combined application of PKMgSCa and FertiSoil. However, the application of FertiSoil and PKMgSCa singly equally increased soybean grain yield by 77%. Percent soybean grain yield increases of 86, 84, and 74% were observed when PKMgSZnB + FertiSoil, PKMgSZnB, and FertiSoil were applied, respectively, at Naaga. In absolute terms, 83% of the fields had a positive response to mineral fertilizer and 93% to FertiSoil and mineral fertilizer + FertiSoi