No.63 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia Issued by AIRI-CAS and CBCGDF

On December 31st, 2024, No.63 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 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 November 2024, desert locusts were primarily distributed along the central Red Sea coastal and inland areas of Eritrea, the northwestern Gulf of Aden coastal areas of Somalia, and the central and southern Red Sea coastal areas of Saudi Arabia. These areas experienced significant threats to vegetation, impacting 16.8 thousand hectares, 18.8 thousand hectares, and 19.1 thousand hectares, respectively. It is anticipated that, over the next two months, locust infestations in inland Sudan will persist, with some locusts migrating to the northern Red Sea coastal areas of Eritrea for overwintering and reproduction, leading to a slight increase in locust numbers there. Increased rainfall in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea coastal areas will promote robust vegetation growth and create favorable conditions for desert locust survival and reproduction. As a result, locusts in Somalia and Saudi Arabia are expected to migrate toward the coastal areas, where locust numbers are expected to rise further.

 

In November 2024, desert locusts in Eritrea were primarily distributed along the central Red Sea coastal and inland areas. These regions experienced abundant rainfall and robust vegetation growth, providing favorable conditions for locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, resulting in a slight increase in their population. Monitoring results indicated that desert locusts affected 16.8 thousand hectares of vegetation in Eritrea in November, including 4.3 thousand hectares of farmland, 5.8 thousand hectares of grassland, and 6.7 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 1). The Semien Keih Bahri region experienced the most extensive damage, with 8.1 thousand hectares affected.

 

In November 2024, increased rainfall along the northwestern Gulf of Aden coastal areas in Somalia created favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, leading to a rise in their population in the region. Monitoring results indicated that desert locusts affected 18.8 thousand hectares of vegetation in Somalia in November, including 7.2 thousand hectares of grassland and 11.6 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 2). The Sanaag region experienced the most extensive damage, with 6.8 thousand hectares affected.

 

In November 2024, abundant rainfall along the central and southern Red Sea coastal areas of Saudi Arabia created favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, leading to a population increase in the region. Monitoring results indicated that desert locusts affected 19.1 thousand hectares of vegetation in Saudi Arabia in November, including 4.2 thousand hectares of farmland, 5.7 thousand hectares of grassland, and 9.2 thousand hectares of shrubland (Figure 3). The Makkah region experienced the most extensive damage, with 7.7 thousand hectares affected.

 

The comprehensive analysis suggests that, in the next two months, locust infestations in inland Sudan will persist, with some locusts migrating to the northern Red Sea coastal areas of Eritrea for overwintering and reproduction, leading to a slight increase in locust numbers there. Increased rainfall in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea coastal areas will promote healthy vegetation growth and create favorable conditions for desert locust survival and reproduction. As a result, locusts in Somalia and Saudi Arabia are expected to migrate toward the coastal areas, where locust numbers are expected to rise further.

 

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/6387123748792058182033422290.pdf

 

Translator: Sara

Reviewed by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

Contribution

Do you know? We rely on crowd-funding and donations. You have the opportunity to help an international movement to advance biodiversity conservation. Donate TODAY to power up the movement to make it a better world for all life.

Donation(501C3)Paypal: intl@wbag.org

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2EYYJJZ8CGPLE