Understanding local climate change sensitivities is essential to develop effective adaptation strategies, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands. This study explores the community's views on climate change and its impact on the Baturiya Wetlands, with five neighbouring communities. Using a mixed methodology, data were collected from 100 respondents via structured questionnaires and interviews.The findings show that 94% of the respondents depend on wetlands for agriculture, fisheries and access to water, underlining their environmental and economic value. However, perceptions of climate change vary 63% accept its effects, 22% have limited awareness and 15% have no opinion. Reported impacts on climate included reduced water levels (69%), falling fish stocks (56%) and fewer migratory birds (41%). These changes have affected livelihoods, with 66% reporting a loss of crop and 52% reporting a decrease in fishing income.Communities adopted different adaptation strategies, such as adjusting planting dates (44%), using irrigation (30%) and planting drought tolerant crops (25%). The chi square analysis revealed significant differences in climate awareness and adaptation capacity between the communities, with Baturiya and Musari showing more resilience due to exposure to non-governmental and awareness-raising initiatives. The study stresses the importance of integrating local knowledge into climate change adaptation planning and calls for inclusive policies that link scientific approaches to community-based experience. The findings support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 13, SDG 15 and SDG 6. Effective wetland management must give priority to the needs and voices of local communities most affected by environmental change.

Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H., & Younis, I. (2022). A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(28), 42539–42559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6. Adams, W. M., Aveling, R., Brockington, D., Dickson, B., Elliott, J., Hutton, J., Roe, D., Vira, B., & Wolmer, W. (2004). Biodiversity conservation and the eradication of poverty. Science, 306(5699), 1146–1149. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1097920. Adger, W. N., Barnett, J., Brown, K., Marshall, N., & Brien, K. O. (2012). Cultural dimensions of climate change impacts and adaptation. Nature Climate Change, 3(2), 112–117. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1666. Agbeko, P., Mattah, D., Fafa, M., Akwetey, A., Abrokwah, S., Prah, P., Tuffour, D. K., Aheto, D. W., & Subramanian, S. (2024). Perspectives on Drivers of Biodiversity and Environmental Changes in the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Site of Ghana. Ahmed, Z., Gui, D., Qi, Z., & Liu, Y. (2022). Poverty reduction through water interventions: A review of approaches in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Irrigation and Drainage, 71(3), 539–558. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2680 , A. A., & Onyeaka, H. (2025). The role of green education in achieving the sustainable development goals: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 210, 115239. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.115239 Ani, K. J., Anyika, V. O., & Mutambara, E. (2022). The impact of climate change on food and human security in Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 14(2), 148–167. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-11-2020-0119 Araneda, P., Bridgewater, P., Pizarro, J. C., Tomás, J., Araneda, P., & Bridgewater, P. (2025). The role of wetland birds in biocultural conservation : analysing global discourses and practices on species and ecosystems discourses and practices on species and ecosystems. Ecosystems and People, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2025.2453476 Asante, F., Guodaar, L., & Arimiyaw, S. (2021). Climate change and variability awareness and livelihood adaptive strategies among smallholder farmers in semi-arid northern Ghana. Environmental Development, 39(January 2020), 100629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2021.100629 Babanawo, D., Mattah, P. A. D., Agblorti, S. K. M., & Aheto, D. W. (2023). Perspectives on factors that influence local communities’ vulnerability to coastal floods in Ketu South Municipality of Ghana. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 90(March), 103646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103646 Bamidele, S., & Erameh, N. I. (2023). Environmental degradation and sustainable peace dialogue in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. Resources Policy, 80(June 2022), 103274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.103274 Birkmann, J., Jamshed, A., McMillan, J. M., Feldmeyer, D., Totin, E., Solecki, W., Ibrahim, Z. Z., Roberts, D., Kerr, R. B., Poertner, H. O., Pelling, M., Djalante, R., Garschagen, M., Leal Filho, W., Guha-Sapir, D., & Alegría, A. (2022). Understanding human vulnerability to climate change: A global perspective on index validation for adaptation planning. Science of the Total Environment, 803, 150065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150065 Bonnedahl, K. J., Heikkurinen, P., & Paavola, J. (2022). Strongly sustainable development goals: Overcoming distances constraining responsible action. Environmental Science & Policy, 129, 150–158. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.004 Boykoff, M. T., & Roberts, J. T. (2008). Media coverage of climate change : current trends , strengths , weaknesses (Issue June). Eriksen, S., Schipper, E. L. F., Scoville-Simonds, M., Vincent, K., Adam, H. N., Brooks, N., Harding, B., Khatri, D., Lenaerts, L., Liverman, D., Mills-Novoa, M., Mosberg, M., Movik, S., Muok, B., Nightingale, A., Ojha, H., Sygna, L., Taylor, M., Vogel, C., & West, J. J. (2021). Adaptation interventions and their effect on vulnerability in developing countries: Help, hindrance or irrelevance? World Development, 141, 105383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105383 Fay, P. A., Guntenspergen, G. R., Olker, J. H., & Johnson, W. C. (2016). Climate change impacts on freshwater wetland hydrology and vegetation cover cycling along a regional aridity gradient. 7(October). Fleming, W., Hayes, A. L., Crosman, K. M., & Bostrom, A. (2021). Indiscriminate, Irrelevant, and Sometimes Wrong: Causal Misconceptions about Climate Change. Risk Analysis : An Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis, 41(1), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13587 Gambo, J., Yusuf, Y. A., Abubakar, A., & Abba, N. M. (2020). Fish Diversity and Abundance Using Statistical Modelling in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands (HNWs), Nigeria: An Adaptive Environmental Assessment. Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, 9(3), 6–20. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajfar/2020/v9i330159 Gardner, R. C., & Finlayson, C. M. (2018). Global Wetland Outlook: State of the World’s Wetlands and their Services to People. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. (2018)., 88. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3261606 0Ahttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b256c78e17ba335ea89fe1f/t/5b9ffd2e0e2e7277f629eb8f/1537211739585/RAMSAR+GWO_ENGLISH_WEB.pdf Glover, E. K., & Elsiddig, E. A. (2012). The causes and consequences of environmental changes in Gedaref, Sudan. Land Degradation and Development, 23(4), 339–349. https://doi.org/10.1002/LDR.2167 Hadiza, H. Z., Gambo, J., Zakari, B., Yusuf, Y. A., & Muhammad, I. L. (2019). Analysis of Level and Extent of Anthropogenic Activities in and Around Protected Areas (PAs): Case of Baturiya Wetlands, Jigawa State Nigeria. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology, 11(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajee/2019/v11i430144 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2023). Poverty, Livelihoods and Sustainable Development. In Climate Change 2022 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (pp. 1171–1284). https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844.010 Karkarna, M. Z., & Danjuma, M. N. (2020). Community Participation in Wildlife Management in Baturiya Sanctuary, Northwestern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology, 4(1), 77–86. https://doi.org/10.36263/nijest.2020.01.0169 Landscapes, A. R. I. N. S. (2021). AGRO-CLIMATIC RESILIENCE IN SEMI-ARID LANDSCAPES ( ACReSAL ) PROJECT. October. Leal Filho, W., Totin, E., Franke, J. A., Andrew, S. M., Abubakar, I. R., Azadi, H., Nunn, P. D., Ouweneel, B., Williams, P. A., & Simpson, N. P. (2022). Understanding responses to climate-related water scarcity in Africa. Science of the Total Environment, 806, 150420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150420 Magwegwe, E., Zivengwa, T., & Zenda, M. (2024). Adaptation and Coping Strategies of Women to Reduce Food Insecurity in an Era of Climate Change: A Case of Chireya District, Zimbabwe. Climate, 12(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12080126 Marschütz, B., Bremer, S., Runhaar, H., Hegger, D., Mees, H., Vervoort, J., & Wardekker, A. (2020). Local narratives of change as an entry point for building urban climate resilience. Climate Risk Management, 28(March), 100223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2020.100223 Membele, G. M., Naidu, M., & Mutanga, O. (2022). Examining flood vulnerability mapping approaches in developing countries: A scoping review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 69(January 2021), 102766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102766 Moallemi, E. A., Malekpour, S., Hadjikakou, M., Raven, R., Szetey, K., Ningrum, D., Dhiaulhaq, A., & Bryan, B. A. (2020). Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Requires Transdisciplinary Innovation at the Local Scale. One Earth, 3(3), 300–313. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.08.006 Okeke, C. (2024). NIGERIA CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY BRIEF: COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: INTEGRATING LOCAL APPROACHES INTO NIGERIA’S CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AGENDA NIGERIA. https://doi.org/10.59184/pb023.07 Oladokun, V. O., & Proverbs, D. (2016). Flood risk management in Nigeria: A review of the challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering, 6(3), 485–497. https://doi.org/10.2495/SAFE-V6-N3-485-497 Olalekan, E. I. (2014). Wetland Resources of Nigeria: Case Study of the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands. Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-446x.1000123 $ Onyeneke, R. U., Nwajiuba, C. U., Tegler, B., & Nwajiuba, C. A. (2020). Evidence-Based Policy Development: National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN). African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42091-8_125-1 Paavola, J. (2008). Livelihoods, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in Morogoro, Tanzania. Environmental Science and Policy, 11(7), 642–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVSCI.2008.06.002 Ramsar, (2016). Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland (2016). An Introduction to the RAMSAR convention on Wetlands, 7th ed. In (previously The Ramsar Convention Manual): Vol. 7 ed (Issue An Introduction to the Ramsar convition on Wetland). Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gardner, C., Finlayson, C. M., Davidson, N., Fennessy, S., Coates, D., van Damm, A., Baker, C., Kumar, R., Stroud, D., Rebelo, L.-M., Finlayson, C. M., Strauch, A., Rosenqvist, A., Perennou, C., Tøttrup, C., Hilarides, L., Paganini, M., Wielaard, N., Siegert, F., Ballhorn, U., Navratil, P., Franke, J., & Davidson, N. (2018). The Use of Earth Observation for Wetland Inventory, Assessment and Monitoring: An Information Source for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Ramsar Technical Report, 10, 1–31. https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/rtr10_earth_observation_e.pdf Ringler, C., Agbonlahor, M., Barron, J., Baye, K., Meenakshi, J. V., Mekonnen, D. K., & Uhlenbrook, S. (2022). The role of water in transforming food systems. Global Food Security, 33(April), 100639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100639 Sadiq, A. A., Tyler, J., & Noonan, D. S. (2019). A review of community flood risk management studies in the United States. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 41(September), 101327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101327 Safiah Yusmah, M. Y., Bracken, L. J., Sahdan, Z., Norhaslina, H., Melasutra, M. D., Ghaffarianhoseini, A., Sumiliana, S., & Shereen Farisha, A. S. (2020). Understanding urban flood vulnerability and resilience: a case study of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Natural Hazards, 101(2), 551–571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-03885-1 Salimi, S., Almuktar, S. A. A. A. N., & Scholz, M. (2021). Impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems : A critical review of experimental wetlands. Journal of Environmental Management, 286(January), 112160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112160 Shayamano, A., & Dzingirayi, V. (2025). Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wetland Management in the Wake of Climate Change in Mashonaland East Province : Exploring Potentiated Links. 4(1), 59–68. Shivanna, K. R. (2022). Climate change and its impact on biodiversity and human welfare. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 88(2), 160–171. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43538-022-00073-6 Stringer, L. C., Fraser, E. D. G., Harris, D., Lyon, C., Pereira, L., Ward, C. F. M., & Simelton, E. (2020). Adaptation and development pathways for different types of farmers. Environmental Science and Policy, 104(December 2019), 174–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.10.007 Takazira, L., Takaziralibertygmailcom, E., & Dzingirayi, P. (2024). The Use of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Climate Change adaptation in Zimbabwe. 5(6), 90–97. Tenzing, J. D. (2020). Integrating social protection and climate change adaptation: A review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 11(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.626 Udo, F., & Naidu, M. (2023). Exploring Black African women’s experiences of vulnerability and adaptation to flood impacts in the eThekwini metropolitan municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 93(September 2022), 103798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103798 Ujih, U. O., & Adoka Ibrahim, A. (2020). Assessing challenges of Baturiya Wetlands and Game Reserves Biodiversity as Ecotourism Resource in Hadejia of Jigawa State, Nigeria: A viewpoint HP. 20(2), 1–13. www.hummingpubng.com UNCCD. (2017). United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. 2017. The Global Land Outlook, first edition. United Nations Resolution. (2020). Annex: Global indicator framework for the Sustainable Development Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Work of the Statistical Commission Pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 1–21. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/indicators/Global Indicator Framework after 2019 refinement_Eng.pdf 0Ahttps://unstats.un.org/sdgs/indicators/Global Indicator Framework_A.RES.71.313 Annex.pdf Yang, H., Ranjitkar, S., Zhai, D., Zhong, M., Goldberg, S. D., Salim, M. A., Wang, Z., Jiang, Y., & Xu, J. (2019). Role of traditional ecological knowledge and seasonal calendars in the context of climate change: A case study from China. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU11123243 Yu, Y., & Huang, J. (2021). Poverty Reduction of Sustainable Development Goals in the 21st Century: A Bibliometric Analysis. Frontiers in Communication, 6(October), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2021.754181