ABSTRACT
The economic importance for tourism of the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR) in northern Benin raises the question of its governance in view of climate variability and ongoing climate change. This paper examines stakeholders’ perceptions, forms, effects and consequences of climate variability in and around the PBR. It identifies strategies used by the management people and surrounding local populations in adapting to climate change. It also analyses current and future governance in nature conservation in view of environmental change. Recent indicators of climate change are documented by delayed rainfall, shorter and irregular rainy seasons, changes in rainfall over time, excessive heat, and increased wind speed. The main strategies adopted are varietal adaptation, extension of planting, adoption of open seedlings and diversification of activities. Consequently, the sustainability of such governance requires the adoption of new paradigms.
