No.57 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia Issued by AIRI-CAS and CBCGDF

On June 24, 2024, No.57 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 Somalia and Yemen. The remote sensing monitoring results showed that, in May 2024, desert locusts were mainly distributed in the northwestern region of Somalia and the western Red Sea coast and inland areas of Yemen, affecting vegetation over areas of 16.7 thousand hectares and 31.9 thousand hectares respectively. It is expected that over the next two months, increased rainfall is expected along the northern coast of Somalia near the Gulf of Aden, leading to better vegetation growth, which will be conducive to the survival and reproduction of desert locusts. The locusts in the northwest are expected to migrate to this area, causing a slight increase in the locust population. In the inland areas of western Yemen, intensified cyclone activity will result in abundant rainfall, facilitating the egg-laying and reproduction of desert locusts, leading to an increase in the locust population in that region. This period is the main planting and growing season for food crops in Somalia and Yemen.

 

In May 2024, increased rainfall in the northwestern region of Somalia favored the egg-laying and reproduction of desert locusts, leading to an increase in their numbers in the area. The monitoring results showed that in May, the total damaged vegetation area was 16.7 thousand hectares in Somalia, including 5.6 thousand hectares of grassland and 11.1 thousand hectares of shrub (Figure 1).

 

In May 2024, desert locusts in Yemen were mainly distributed along the western Red Sea coast and inland areas. These regions experienced abundant rainfall and good vegetation growth, providing favorable conditions for locust egg-laying and reproduction. As a result, the number of desert locusts in Yemen increased slightly. The monitoring results showed that in May, the total damaged vegetation area was 31.9 thousand hectares in Yemen, including 6.1 thousand hectares of cropland, 11.2 thousand hectares of grassland, and 14.6 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 at the border between San'ā province and Dhamār province, 51.1 kilometers northwest of San'ā province. The total vegetation area in Region 1 is 52.83 thousand hectares, with an affected vegetation area of 8.43 thousand hectares. Region 2 is situated in the central part of Lahij province, 43.9 kilometers northwest of Ta'izz province.  Region 2 has a total vegetation area of 53.74 thousand hectares, with shrubs being the primarily affected type. The affected area covers 5.47 thousand hectares, accounting for 10.18% of the total shrubland area in this region. 

 

The comprehensive analysis shows that, in the next two months, increased rainfall is expected along the northern coast of Somalia near the Gulf of Aden, leading to better vegetation growth, which will be conducive to the survival and reproduction of desert locusts. The locusts in the northwest are expected to migrate to this area, causing a slight increase in the locust population. In the inland areas of western Yemen, intensified cyclone activity will result in abundant rainfall, facilitating the egg-laying and reproduction of desert locusts, leading to an increase in the locust population in that region.

 

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/6385484452932816181707112668.pdf

 

Translator: Sara

Checked by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

 

 

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