No.61 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia Issued by AIRI-CAS and CBCGDF

On November 1st, 2024, No.61 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,etc), 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 September 2024, desert locusts were primarily distributed in the northwestern regions of Somalia and along the northern coastal areas of the Gulf of Aden, the western coastal areas of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and the western inland and coastal areas of Yemen. These areas experienced significant threats to vegetation, impacting 13.8 thousand hectares, 15.6 thousand hectares, and 32.0 thousand hectares, respectively. It is anticipated that, over the next two months, rainfall in the Gulf of Aden coastal areas will decrease. The reduction in precipitation will lead to drier vegetation, creating conditions unsuitable for locust survival and reproduction. Consequently, locusts in Somalia are likely to migrate towards the northwestern inland areas. In contrast, increased rainfall in the Red Sea coastal areas will create favorable conditions for desert locust egg-laying and reproduction, prompting locusts in inland Yemen migrating towards the western coastal areas. This period marks the main planting and growing season for food crops in Somalia, the primary growing season in Saudi Arabia, and the peak harvest season in Yemen.

 

In September 2024, increased rainfall in the northwestern regions of Somalia and along the northern coastal areas of Gulf of Aden provided favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, leading to a rise in their population. Monitoring results indicated that in September, desert locusts affected 13.8 thousand hectares of vegetation in Somalia, including 4.4 thousand hectares of grassland and 9.4 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 1).

 

In September 2024, abundant rainfall along the southern coastal areas of Red Sea of Saudi Arabia provided favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, resulting in an increase in their population. Monitoring results indicated that in September, desert locusts affected 15.6 thousand hectares of vegetation in Saudi Arabia, including 2.9 thousand hectares of farmland, 5.8 thousand hectares of grassland, and 6.9 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 2). 

In September 2024, desert locusts were primarily distributed in the western inland and coastal regions of Yemen, where abundant rainfall and favorable vegetation growth, which provided conducive conditions for locust oviposition and reproduction. Monitoring results indicated that in September, desert locusts affected 32.0 thousand hectares of vegetation in Yemen, including 10.3 thousand hectares of cropland, 8.3 thousand hectares of grassland, and 13.4 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 3).

 

The comprehensive analysis suggests that, in the next two months, rainfall in the Gulf of Aden coastal areas will decrease. This will lead to drier vegetation, creating conditions unsuitable for locust survival and reproduction. Consequently, locusts in Somalia are likely to migrate towards the northwestern inland areas. In contrast, increased rainfall in the Red Sea coastal areas will favor desert locust egg-laying and reproduction, prompting locusts in inland Yemen migrating towards the western coastal areas.

 

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/6386596922442742521724368740.pdf

 

Original Chinese Article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/KKeskA8mvJPvGHBKBItCrw

Translator: Sara

Reviewed by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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