Pilot project for seasonal vegetation monitoring in support of grasshopper and locust control in West Africa

Its purpose was to develop, pilot test, and evaluate a near-real-time vegetation monitoring procedure using satellite data and information system technologies for use in grasshopper and locust control programs and other applications. Vegetation greenness data were derived from NOAA satellite image data and merged with cartographic information to produce greenness maps of the participating countries. The maps were produced every two weeks through the rainy season, depicting the complex green-up and drying patterns of seasonal vegetation. The maps were evaluated and found to be useful, contributing new information to the planning and implementation of field and aerial surveys over areas of potential grasshopper and locust infestations. Their use and evaluation was based on the principle that seasonal rainfall triggers both the growth of herbaceous vegetation, and the hatching and development of grasshopper and locust populations. The maps were used as indicators of areas with conditions favorable to their development. By concentrating on areas that were greening or already green, survey teams were able to significantly narrow down areas to be surveyed by air and on the ground. Users identified a number of other applications of the greenness maps. These included: monitoring and mapping of seasonal rangeland conditions, guiding nomadic pastoralists to favorable grazing areas, crop condition assessment, and as an indicator of drought pockets. This report results from the project evaluation and is based on interviews with over 70 people in over 20 different agencies. It focuses on characteristics of the greenness maps, on their utility and effectiveness, project institutionalization considerations, and management recommendations. (Author abstract)