Climate Change as a Threat to the Environment and Productivity: Case Study from Nabatieh Governorate, South Lebanon

Lebanon is one of the countries in which the agricultural sector is suffering from climate change. This sector is vulnerable to disasters and risks that often lead to reduced agricultural productivity and degradation in natural resources. This study aims to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture, productivity and environment in order to identify the needed interventions in the livelihood zones in the Nabatieh Governorate. The assessment is done by direct interviews with 137 farmers selected from the study area based on a sampling plan. The main results showed that 40% of the farmers consider agriculture as a primary source of income, and the average percentage of cultivated area has decreased 25% between 2017 and 2021. Based on a statistical analysis using the XLSTAT program, a relationship can be identified between cultivated area and productivity between 2017 and 2021. It was observed that 85% of the samples experienced a rise in temperature ranges in the past 5 years, and were also affected by its consequences, such as increased pest proliferation and weed production in addition to its effects on crop yield and quality. Concerning the yield of crops in our study area, all yields decreased and their costs increased between 2017 and 2021.