No.59 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia Issued by AIRI-CAS and CBCGDF

On August 30, 2024, No.59 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.

 

The remote sensing monitoring results showed that, in July 2024, desert locusts were primarily found in the central region of Eritrea, the northwestern and northern coastal areas of the Gulf of Aden in Somalia, and the western inland areas of Yemen. These areas experienced significant threats to vegetation, impacting 13.2 thousand hectares, 14.6 thousand hectares, and 29.3 thousand hectares, respectively. It is anticipated that, over the next two months, increased rainfall due to tropical cyclones will lead to abundant rainfall in the western region of Eritrea and the central and western inland areas of Yemen, resulting in favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, which will lead to a slight increase in their numbers. In Somalia, the high temperatures and drought will not be conducive to the survival of desert locusts, leading to a decrease in their population within the country.

 

In July 2024, desert locusts were primarily found in the central regions of Eritrea, where abundant rainfall fostered robust vegetation growth. These favorable conditions facilitated the egg-laying and reproduction of desert locusts, leading to a slight increase in their population. The monitoring results showed that in July, the total damaged vegetation area in Eritrea was 13.2 thousand hectares, including 2.7thousand hectares of farmland, 5.5 thousand hectares of grassland, and 5.0 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 1).

In July 2024, increased rainfall in the northwestern region of Somalia favored the egglaying and reproduction of desert locusts, leading to an increase in their numbers in the area. The monitoring results showed that in July, the total damaged vegetation area was 14.6 thousand hectares in Somalia, including 7.4 thousand hectares of grassland and 7.2 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 2).

 

In July 2024, desert locusts were primarily distributed in the central and western inland regions of Yemen, where abundant rainfall influenced by tropical cyclones and favorable vegetation growth provided conducive conditions for locust oviposition and reproduction. The monitoring results showed that in July, the total damaged vegetation area was 29.3 thousand hectares in Yemen, including 5.7 thousand hectares of cropland, 8.5 thousand hectares of grassland, and 15.1 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 3).

 

The comprehensive analysis shows that, in the next two months, increased rainfall due

to tropical cyclones will lead to abundant rainfall in the western region of Eritrea and the central and western inland areas of Yemen, resulting in favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, which will lead to a slight increase in their numbers. In Somalia, the high temperatures and drought will not be conducive to the survival of desert locusts, leading to a decrease in their population within the country.

 

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/638606264650004071998137639.pdf

 

Translator: Sara

Checked by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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