The Locust Populations in Western Yemen to Increase and in Saudi Arabia to Decrease in Next Two Months | No.56 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia Issued by AIRI-CAS and CBCGDF

On May 24, 2024, No.56 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia was jointly released by the Team of Prof. Huang Wenjiang, Associate Prof. Dong Yingying from Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF).

  

Integrated with multi-source Earth Observation data, e.g. meteorological data, field data, and remote sensing data (such as the MODIS in the US and Sentinel-2 in Europe), and self-developed models and algorithms for Desert Locust monitoring and forecasting, the research team constructed the ‘Vegetation pests and diseases monitoring and forecasting system’, which could regularly release thematical maps and reports on Desert Locust.

 

This report focuses on the dynamic updates of desert locust monitoring and loss assessment in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The remote sensing monitoring results showed that, in April 2024, desert locusts were mainly distributed in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia and the western region of Yemen, with areas of vegetation affected reaching 13.3 thousand hectares and 29.6 thousand hectares respectively. It is expected that over the next two months, rainfall will decrease along the coast of the Red Sea, leading to dry vegetation and unsuitable conditions for the survival and reproduction of desert locusts. Consequently, the locust population within Saudi Arabia is anticipated to continue decreasing. In contrast, cyclone activity will increase along the coastline of the western region of Yemen, particularly around the Gulf of Aden, resulting in abundant rainfall. This will facilitate small-scale breeding of desert locusts, leading to an increase in the locust population in that area. This period marks the main growing and harvesting seasons for grain crops in Saudi Arabia, as well as the main planting and growing seasons for grain crops in Yemen.

 

In April 2024, there was a decrease in rainfall along the Red Sea coast in southwestern Saudi Arabia, which was not conducive to the breeding and reproduction of desert locusts. Additionally, due to control efforts, the population of desert locusts in this area experienced a slight decline. The monitoring results showed that in April, the total damaged vegetation area was 13.3 thousand hectares in Saudi Arabia, including 2.7 thousand hectares of cropland, 4.3 thousand hectares of grassland, and 6.3 thousand hectares of shrub (Figure 1). 

In April 2024, desert locusts were predominantly found in the western plateau region of Yemen. This area received ample rainfall, promoting favorable conditions for locust breeding and reproduction due to the lush vegetation. As a result, there was a slight increase in the number of desert locusts in this region. The monitoring results showed that in April, the total damaged vegetation area was 29.6 thousand hectares in Yemen, including 5.4 thousand hectares of cropland, 10.5 thousand hectares of grassland, and 13.7 thousand hectares of shrub (Figure 2).

 

This study simultaneously utilized Sentinel-2 satellite remote sensing data to monitor disaster-stricken areas in western Yemen (Figure 3). Region 1 is located in the western area of Ibb Province. The total vegetation area in Region 1 is 39.29 thousand hectares, with an affected vegetation area of 5.84 thousand hectares. Region 2 is situated in the border area between Al-Mahwit Province and Sana'a Province, it has a total vegetation area of 72.06 thousand hectares, with shrubs being the primary affected type.

  

The comprehensive analysis shows that, in the next two months, rainfall will decrease along the coast of the Red Sea, leading to dry vegetation and unsuitable conditions for the survival and reproduction of desert locusts. Consequently, the locust population within Saudi Arabia is anticipated to continue decreasing. In contrast, cyclone activity will increase along the coastline of the western region of Yemen, particularly around the Gulf of Aden, resulting in abundant rainfall. This will facilitate small-scale breeding of desert locusts, leading to an increase in the locust population in that area.

 

CBCGDF has always been contributing to this study and the series report aims to help developing countries in Asia and Africa fight invasive species and safeguard food security. The results of the report have been shared with developing countries in Southeast Asia and Africa for free, helping them improve their capability to control the impacts of desert locusts.

 

[Download the report:]

http://en.rscrop.com/Private/NewsImgs/638521615308697819842396869.pdf

 

Translator: Sara

Checked by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

 

 

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