Carte Biomasse Sahel 2018

  • At Sahel, we observe a generally favorable situation. Most countries have recorded biomass regeneration and we are in a more positive situation compared to last year. In addition, we observe significant deficits in Senegal and Mauritania and deficit pockets in other parts of the region that deserve attention.

  • Senegal: Significant deficits in Ferlo (Matam, Saint Louis and Louga regions) and the Gambia River Valley (Kaffrine & Tambacounda). The situation in Senegal has improved considerably compared to the deficit rainy season in 2017 (except for Thiès and western Louga, where biomass production is below the 2017 level).
  • Mauritania: Significant deficits in the regions of Brakna, Assaba and Gorgol, with a rather favorable situation in the Hodhs.
  • Mali: Biomass production is generally favorable, particularly in the Gao, Menaka and Kidal regions. However, moderate deficits are observed in the Mopti region.
  • Niger : Overall favorable biomass production, except in the Tahoua regions where there are deficit pockets in all departments and a significant deficit in the Torodi and Say departments (Tillabéry Region).
  • Burkina Faso: The situation is generally stable, with deficits in the eastern region (particularly in the provinces of Gnagna and Komondjari). Moderate deficits are observed in the Sahel region (Oudalan and Soum departments).
  • Chad: Surplus production with no deficit noted in the usual grazing areas.

 

Recommendations:

  • Inform pastoral organizations in deficit areas and corroborate information on the biomass situation.
  • Review response plans and contingency plans to prepare for the risk of a potentially early pastoral lean season in deficit areas.
  • Take into account the deficits noted in multi-sectoral analyses for crisis prevention and management.
  • Rainfall Highlight: Cumulative rainfall is often used as a proxy for biomass analysis. However, cumulative rainfall can often hide important nuances, particularly if we have high rainfall over a very short period, followed by long dry periods. This situation is not favorable for vegetation growth, even if we achieve excess cumulative rainfall.

In the next 2 weeks, ACF will publish the biomass analysis reports.

Note on the “normalized” anomaly: This map differs slightly from the “classical” anomaly. This is a “normalized” anomaly where the output is measured in standard deviation (Sigma), a reading of the anomaly within a defined margin around the mean.