On June 14, 2023, No.45 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, and Sentinel series in EU, 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.

This report focuses on the dynamics of desert locust monitoring and loss assessment in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The remote sensing monitoring results showed that, in May 2023, the desert locusts were mainly distributed in western Yemen and along the Red Sea coast of western Saudi Arabia. The total damaged vegetation areas in Yemen and Saudi Arabia were 40.3 and 18.9 thousand hectares, respectively. It is expected that in the next two months, Saudi Arabia will experience high temperatures and dry conditions, while the meteorological conditions in Yemen will be more suitable for the survival of desert locusts. As a result, some locust swarms in Saudi Arabia will migrate southward to the inland areas of Yemen, and the number of locusts in Saudi Arabia will decrease. Some locusts in western Yemen will also migrate to inland areas for breeding and egg-laying, leading to an increase in the number of locusts in Yemen. This period is the important planting and growth seasons for crops in Yemen and the growth and harvest seasons for crops in Saudi Arabia. It is still necessary to pay continuous attention to the dynamics of the desert locust disaster in Yemen and Saudi Arabia to prevent losses to its agricultural and pasture production.

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/638223492024620374180897503.pdf

Original Chinese Article:

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/51FjQYM6fQtydvR0yIB3WQ

Translator: Sara

Checked by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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