Category: Sahel

Biomasse

Analysis Report on Sahel Biomass 2019

Highlights:

Overall, biomass production in the Sahel for the 2019 season shows a significant deterioration compared to the 2018 biomass levels. Senegal, Mauritania, and the pastoral areas in northern Niger and Chad require significant attention. These areas could experience an early and prolonged dry season. In addition to biomass deficits, some of these regions are also affected by surface water deficits, as seen in the southwest of Tagant (Mauritania).

Pastoral areas in Senegal and Mauritania are still recovering from successive droughts that have occurred over the past six years in these regions. Therefore, the impacts of biomass deficits will be magnified as decimated herds struggle to find pastures and water.

Elsewhere, there are moderate biomass deficits in the pastoral areas of northern Niger (Zinder and Diffa) to the East, as well as in some parts of Tahoua and Tillabéry to the West. A similar situation is observed in Chad. Most of these deficit areas are in proximity to surplus areas. If herd mobility is not hindered, herders should be able to find pastures. However, in conflict or banditry-prone areas, which are intensifying in the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Niger – Tillabéry, Tahoua, Diffa – and Mali – Gao, Mopti), this may be less evident.

Given these trends and the significant biomass deficit, pastoral situations need regular monitoring. An early response to the dry season in Senegal and Mauritania should be undertaken promptly.

Recommendations:

  • Refer to the ACF Early Warning Guide on Biomass at: tinyurl.com/early-warning.
  • Conduct rapid assessments in deficit areas to determine community needs.
  • Government and humanitarian actors: Adjust intervention plans and emergency measures to accommodate a potential early pastoral dry season in Mauritania and Senegal. Consider incorporating the following interventions:
  • Strengthening public livestock services and pastoral organizations.
  • Distribution of animal feed.
  • Livestock restocking/de-stocking.
  • Veterinary support and livestock vaccination.
  • Cash transfers.

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Biomasse

Analysis Report on Sahel Biomass 2018

Recommandations:

  • Refer to ACF’s Early Warning Guide on Available Biomass at: tinyurl.com/early-warning
  • Conduct Rapid Assessments in Deficit Areas to Determine Community Needs.
  • Government and Humanitarian Actors: Adjust intervention plans and emergency measures to account for the current lean season at the beginning of the pastoral season in Mauritania and Senegal, potentially including the following interventions:
  • Strengthening public livestock services and pastoral organizations.
  • Distribution of animal feed.
  • Restocking/de-stocking.
  • Veterinary support and livestock vaccination.
  • Cash transfers.

Download the report here

Biomasse

Bulletin on Biomass Production and Surface Water in the Sahel, Mid-Season of the 2018 Rainy Season

  • The 2018 rainy season benefits from generally favorable rainfall across the Sahel, and biomass production follows this overall positive trend.
  • Regions in the central and northern parts of Senegal have experienced a break in precipitation since the end of July, resulting in a deficit in biomass production that impacts the development of pastures and crops. Senegal is in a negative biomass production situation for the 5th consecutive year.
  • The western regions of Mauritania, especially Brakna and Trarza, are experiencing deficits for the second consecutive year. Regions in the central and western parts of Mali (Mopti, Kayes) have a moderate biomass production deficit, which could be compensated by moderately favorable precipitation forecasts for the end of the rainy season.
  • The western regions of Niger (Tahoua) faced a delayed onset of the rainy season, leading to low biomass production early in the season. However, the situation has been improving since the beginning of August, indicating a good vegetation regeneration to reach a normal level.
  • The Eastern region of Burkina Faso records a slight deficit in biomass production, but it has been trending towards a normal production level since mid-July.

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Joint Statement: Pastoral lean season 2018

The rainy season of 2017 in the Sahel was unfavorable for vegetation and water. There are currently critical deficits in biomass and water production in Senegal and Mauritania, and these deficits are significant in Mali, Niger, and Chad. Additionally, extreme deficits in surface water pose a threat to pastoral communities. One immediate consequence of these deficits will be an early dry season (usually lasting from May to August), which will be particularly challenging for the poorest populations and the most vulnerable households in the Sahel.

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Biomasse

2017 Sahel Biomass Report

  • Significant biomass production deficits in Senegal, Mauritania, and Chad
  • High probability of abnormal transhumant movements leading to agro-pastoral conflicts
  • High probability of the early onset of the pastoral lean season. Pockets of biomass production deficits in Niger (Dosso, Tahoua, Diffa) and Mali (departments of Goundam, Tombouctou, Niono, Ansongo)
  • Extreme vulnerability of biomass production (negative short-term trends) in the Sahel region
  • High deficits in surface water in Senegal and Mauritania
Anomalie Sahel 2017

The map of biomass production anomalies in the Sahel indicates serious deficits in Mauritania, Senegal, and Chad. These areas are likely to experience forage deficits and challenging conditions for pastoralists seeking pastures and water for their herds. The limited availability of biomass and water increases the likelihood of an early, prolonged, and difficult lean season in 2018 for these areas. Herd transhumance may begin early in search of pastures and water, potentially causing tensions between agricultural and pastoral communities. Herds will likely depend on livestock feed for sustenance for a longer period than usual during the upcoming dry season. As a result, feed may be less available or more expensive.

Biomass production deficits are also observed in Mali, especially south of Ansongo, which is typically a significant concentration area for herds. This could lead to irregular transhumant movements. Notable deficits are observed across the Tombouctou region and in some parts of Mopti and Ségou. In Burkina Faso, the Sahel region shows significant deficits, reflecting a multi-year trend of chronically poor production. Similarly, negative anomalies are detected in Niger in Tahoua, Maradi, and Diffa. Of concern, the northern part of Dosso exhibits a very negative anomaly despite being a zone of high biomass production. Humanitarian challenges already evident in Diffa may be exacerbated by negative biomass anomalies.

Recommandations

Note: A guide has been prepared on using biomass data for planning early warnings and interventions. It is available at https://tinyurl.com/early-warning.

Strengthen data collection mechanisms. Field data is essential to complement satellite data when planning an intervention. Data on pasture availability, terms of trade, water availability, bushfires, and animal diseases should be regularly collected to monitor the onset of the dry season.

If regular data collection is not possible, participate in rapid participatory surveys using LEGS or PCVA methods.

  • Closely monitor animal feed prices and plan for the distribution of feed stocks.
  • Monitor food security and nutritional indicators in the affected areas.
  • Initiate preparations to strengthen pastoral organizations and state technical services in the affected areas.
  • As the lean season is likely to occur early this year, interventions should be ready before March 2018. Strengthen services providing pastoralists with information on pastures and water availability.
  • Frequently visit the sites sigsahel.info and geosahel.info for updates.

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Publications

Interactive Dataset- Sahelian Biomass

The ongoing droughts in the African Sahel zonehave triggered one of the longest-running crises faced by the international humanitarian community. Since the 1970s, the zone, which supports a largely agro-pastoralist population, has been in a near-continuous state of humanitarian crisis due to food insecurity caused by drought and desertification, and exacerbated (in some countries) by civil violence. The impact is uneven and shifting, so it’s critical to monitor trends like vegetation growth (including food for animals to graze on and crops that people grow) on a district-by-district basis.

Read about it here

 

See the visualisation here