Dry Savannah Research Articles

Assessment of household preferences for net textile type (polyester versus polyethylene) for decision-making of the National Malaria Control Programme in Burkina Faso: methods for a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundA quasi-experimental comparative trial will be designed in Burkina Faso. The study will compare the use and preferences for two groups types of insecticide-treated nets textile: polyester-based and polyethylene-based, according to their use and preferences in selected health districts. These health districts will be selected in three eco-climate zones (Sahelian, dry savannah and wet savannah) in the country. These findings will inform decisions on future net procurements for national malaria control programme in 2025.MethodsQuantitative surveys and qualitative data collection will be carried out to gather information on the type of net textile most commonly used and preferred by the community. They will be performed between the end of the dry season and the early rainy season. The quantitative surveys involved household interviews with households and individuals’ questionnaires, while the qualitative data collection involved in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions to explore and clarify some key evaluation criteria. A total of 9450 insecticide-treated nets were surveyed for quantitative survey purposes. For the qualitative study, 48 in-depth individual interviews and 12 focus group discussions were carried out. A mixed model approach combining the results from quantitative surveys and qualitative studies will be used for decision-making on the type of insecticide-treated net preference.ConclusionThis methodological approach will be used by the National Malaria Control Programme to conduct this study on determinants of net use in Burkina Faso in order to provide robust evidence across diverse settings. This mixed-methods approach for data collection and analysis could be used in other countries to provide evidence that would help to increase the uptake of insecticide-treated nets, the main vector control tool in Africa.

Effect of Supplementary Irrigation on the Yield of Sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> L. Moench) in the Context of Climate Change in the Dry Savannahs of Togo

Effect of Supplementary Irrigation on the Yield of Sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> L. Moench) in the Context of Climate Change in the Dry Savannahs of Togo

A seven-year study of large mammal populations in the Sahel, West Africa

The dry savannahs of the Sahelian vegetation zone house a remarkable community of large mammals that have been less studied than their counterparts in the eastern Africa. Here we examine some aspects of the ecology of a community of twenty different large mammal species in a savannah of Burkina Faso, for a relatively long-term period (seven years). We observed remarkable interannual differences in terms of (i) number of contacts and (ii) their groups size (range of groups). Nonetheless, the calculated Kilometric Index of Abundance, with all species pooled, showed a relatively stable value of 0.88–1 individual per Km, apart in 2012 when it decreased to 0.7. GLM models on the observed number of contacts and group sizes revealed that there were significant effects of the species, but neither of the year nor of the season. Remarkable species-specific density fluctuations throughout time were observed when applying the DISTANCE methodology to the dataset. The sex ratio showed great fluctuations between the years and by species, even if there was a general predominance of females.

APPORT DE LA TELEDETECTION ÃƑ€ LANALYSE DES MUTATIONS DU PAYSAGE AGRAIRE DE LA SOUS-PREFECTURE DE SINEMATIALI ENTRE 1988, 1998 ET 2021 (NORD DE LA COTE DIVOIRE)

In Sinematiali, we observe the growth of fruit growing in this area which is traditionally marked by the production of cotton and cereals. This expansion induces a progressive transformation of land use patterns in the agrarian landscape and impacts agricultural practices. The present study is carried out to analyze agrarian changes in the sub-prefecture of Sinematiali between 1988, 1998 and 2021 using remote sensing techniques. From the processing of Landsat 5 TM (1988, 1998) and Landsat 8 OLI-TIRS (2021) satellite images, six (06) land use modes in the agrarian landscape were identified: dense dry forest, Savanna, Culture – Perennial, Bare soil – Place of habitation and Water. Survey data carried out with operators made it possible to analyze the determinants of the evolution of land use patterns in the eponymous sub-prefecture. Thus, from 1988 to 2021, we observe a reduction in the areas of annual cultivation – fallow zones (-43%), dense dry forest (-58.6%) and savannah (-12.6%). On the other hand, the areas occupied by mango and cashew orchards increase from 478.85 ha in 1988 to 5,867.23 ha in 2021, i.e. an annual rate of change of 7.6% and an overall growth rate of 1,125.3%. This dynamic in fruit growing is partly due to the depreciation of profits from the marketing of seed cotton, the improvement in profit margins from the sale of mangoes, cashew nuts and the flexibility of maintenance orchards.

Mineralogical, geochemical, and geotechnical features of lateritic soils from termite mounds in two contrasting savannah areas (central Cameroon) as raw materials for brick making

Termite mound soils (TMS) from humid savannah (HS) and dry savannah (DS) were evaluated as raw materials for compressed earth bricks (CEB) and fired bricks. Mineralogy and major elements geochemistry were performed by X-Ray Diffraction and X-Ray Fluorescence, respectively. Physico-mechanical characteristics of unfired and fired bricks at 900, 950, 1000, 1050, and 1100 °C after 7 curing days were evaluated. The studied TMS are made up of quartz, muscovite, anatase, kaolinite, hematite, and goethite. Illite is present in humid savannah while in DS gibbsite appears. These materials are rich in SiO2 (58.96–61.79 wt%), Al2O3 (16.93–18.78 wt%), and Fe2O3 (7.41–10.33 wt%). The TMS from both HS and DS are sandy clay. Those from DS are silty (13%) than those from HS (<5.7%). Termite mound materials in DS are moderately plastic, while those in HS are highly plastic. Flexural strength values vary between 2.20 and 2.38 MPa for unfired bricks and between 2.41 and 3.26 MPa for fired bricks, respectively at 1100 and 1050 °C. Compressive strength values are ranged from 2.01 to 3.50 MPa for unfired bricks and 2.44 (1100 °C) to 11.08 MPa (1050 °C), with the best values in the DS area. Water absorption and linear shrinkage values are less than 25% and 5%, respectively, in the studied fired and unfired bricks. The physical and mechanical properties of unfired and fired bricks show that the studied TMS can be used for dense brick manufacturing. Materials from dry savannah exhibit better characteristics as construction materials due to relatively high weathering intensity leading to a spread-out particle size distribution, sintering, which promotes densification by reducing the porosity, and the conversion of metakaolinite into primary mullite upon temperature increase.

Differing local‐scale responses of Bolivian Amazon forest ecotones to middle Holocene drought based upon multiproxy soil data

ABSTRACTUncertainty remains over local‐scale responses of ecotonal Amazonian forests to middle Holocene drying due to the scarcity, and coarse spatial resolution, of lacustrine pollen records. This paper examines the palaeoecological potential of soil phytoliths, stable carbon isotopes and charcoal for capturing local‐scale ecotonal responses of different types of Bolivian Amazonian forest to middle Holocene climate change. Soil pits 1 m deep were dug at ecotones between rainforest, dry forest, Chaco woodland and savannah, and sampled at 5–10 cm resolution. Both phytolith and stable carbon isotope records indicate stability of dry forest–savannah ecotones over the last ca. 6000 years, despite middle Holocene drought, revealing the dominance of edaphic factors over climate in controlling this type of ecotone. In contrast, δ13C data reveal that rainforest–savannah ecotones were more responsive to climate change, with rainforest likely replaced by drought‐tolerant dry forest or savannah vegetation during the mid‐Holocene, consistent with regional‐scale lacustrine pollen records. However, such shifts are not apparent in most of our phytolith records due to insufficient taxonomic resolution in differentiating rainforest from dry forest. Charcoal data show that ecotonal dry forests experienced greater fire activity than rainforests and that recent high fire activity at all forest sites is unprecedented since at least the middle Holocene.

Analysis of the Superposition of Meteorological Data and Maize (Zea Mays) Planting Periods in Order to Reduce Production Losses Due to Climate Change in the Dry Savannah Zone of Togo

The purpose of this work is to determine the impacts of climate change on planting periods in the dry Savannah of Togo. To attend this goal, a survey was conducted among 47 maize producers, 23 of whom were in the Kara region and 24 in the Savannah region. The information collected is supplemented by the recommended planting periods in Togo. Also, rainfall data over a period of at least 30 years were processed by Instat+ and R software. The superposition of results obtained in the field and meteorological data shows that in the Kara region, maize planting period starts within the recommended periods and encounters periods of up to 15 days of drought. In the savannah region, however, sowing is done 30 days after the recommended period. In both regions, 30% of the producers surveyed did resow because of the sudden interruption in rainfall. More than 60% of the producers surveyed experienced dry spells of 10 to 15 days during the growth stages of the crop. Resowing certified maize seed costs at least 110,600 f CFA/ha. Yield losses due to spells of drought in the dry savannah area can reach 2 t/ha, representing a financial loss of 500,000 f CFA/ha. Faced with these losses, supplemental irrigation techniques could reduce the effects of climate change on the crop.

Unmanned aerial systems accurately map rangeland condition indicators in a dryland savannah

Dry savannahs are highly sensitive to climate change and under intense anthropogenic pressure. Therefore, the methods for assessing their status should be easy and repeatable. Monitoring through satellite data and field measurements are limited in accurately assessing the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystems. Fortunately, emerging technologies like Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) allow to transcend these limitations. But their calibration with field data for application in rangelands is still relatively new and less common than for example in precision agriculture. In this study we developed a drone-based workflow for mapping the condition of rangelands in dryland savannah. We evaluated how accurately and efficiently the two common indicators (i.e., potential forage biomass and rangeland cover type) of rangeland condition can be estimated from drone imagery across a range of conditions (i.e., highly degraded to healthy rangelands). To develop the drone-based potential forage biomass model we tested the accuracy of four vegetation indices to predict field biomass, with the optimized soil adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI) showing the highest prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.89 and RMSE = 194.05). The OSAVI-based model yielded a significant strong relationship (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.001) between predicted and field observed potential forage biomass across the rangeland system. For land cover, we applied a decision tree classification based on thresholds determined using data mining, with a mean overall accuracy of 95.8%. The drone-based estimates of bare cover, herbaceous cover and woody cover showed strong agreements (R2 ranging between 0.86 and 0.97) with the two image-truthing methods (line-point intercept and visual estimations) tested. We show that the drone-based approach is more efficient, unbiased, and repeatable than the field methods. Based on these results, the drone-based workflow presented here offers a reproducible, accurate and efficient approach for near-real time monitoring of rangeland condition at a landscape level. This may assist with climate-adapted management to prevent further land degradation and associated threats to biodiversity and human livelihoods.

Economic value and latent demand for agricultural drought forecast: Emerging market for weather and climate information in Central-Southern Nigeria

Provision of weather and climate services are expected to improve the capacity for rural households’ preparedness and response plans to weather shocks. With increase in public investments in developing and communicating weather information on local scale in Nigeria, uncertainty in timescales that meet farmers’ needs and economic value of the information is still poorly understood. It is now a policy concern on whether farmers’ preferences and demands might increase its uptake. This study analyzed the economic value, latent demand, and emerging market of weather and climate information in Central-Southern Nigeria. Farm-level cross-sectional data reveals that 76% of the respondents were willing to pay for improved weather information and early warnings in taking climate smart decisions. Within farmers who showed positive responses, 86% would pay for sub-seasonal to seasonal weather information while 38% would pay for medium and short range weather information respectively. The economic value of sub-seasonal to seasonal weather information was estimated at N1600 ($3.60) per year per capita with total aggregated value of N1.3 billion ($2.9 m) yearly for the derived savannah area. Predictive total market value of N17.43billion ($39 m) would be obtained from improved weather information in Nigeria. Simulated results of 5% increase in the uptake with better dissemination channel through mobile phones in addition to robust farmers’ oriented features will generate additional annual market value at N86m ($193,360) for service providers. Large farm size, good farm-income, mobile phone dissemination channels, and location-specific information were drivers of farmers’ uptake decisions of weather information in the dry savannah area. The huge emerging market for improved weather information should be developed into a public–private market to efficiently facilitate uptake and use in Nigeria.

An Ecological Context That Scars: Reflections on Three Nature Documentaries of 2020

An Ecological Context That Scars: Reflections on Three Nature Documentaries of 2020

Local Foods Based on Baobab Pulp (Adansonia digitata L.) Consumed in Savannah Areas of Northern Côte d'Ivoire

The African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is an indigenous fruit tree in the dry savannah areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of great dietary and nutritional interest. The pulp of the fruit, in addition to being consumed raw or in cold drinks, is used for several others unknown foods in Côte d’Ivoire. Thus, a household survey was conducted in the localities of Korhogo, Séguéla and Bouna with 135 people per locality in order to identify these foods, and then to determine their modes, forms, frequency of consumption and their processes. The data revealed that consumers collect baobab in pods form (79.23-88.81%) in fields (76.15-86.57%) before using pulp in the preparation of 10 local foods with different technologies. Eight of these foods are meals and two are beverages (Zoom-koom and Séladji). Rural populations for its taste and health benefits consume the pulp of baobab fruit. The process of Bacacrou (Sougé-baca, Badégé-baca, Manou-baca and Sougé ni manou-baca) vary according to the practices of each locality. Among meals, Kagbèlè is a specific food of Korhogo while Séla biscuit is more specific to Séguéla, and Tchobal, Zoom-koom and Bafouratou are specific to Bouna. Sougé-baca and Séladji appears as the most known foods with a percentage of knowledge of 68.39 and 53.35 respectively, and the most consumed dishes precisely at breakfast and at the Muslim jêun break with 3 to 4 times per month as frequency of consumption. For a better promotion of these foods, it is essential to know their biochemical and nutritional composition.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Potentialities of Whole Fruit Juices from &lt;i&gt;Ximenia americana&lt;/i&gt; Linn., &lt;i&gt;Vitex doniana&lt;/i&gt; Sweet. and &lt;i&gt;Annona senegalensis&lt;/i&gt; Pers

Ximenia americana Linn. (Olacaceae)., Vitex doniana Sweet. (Verbenaceae) and Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) are three endemic fruit species growing in dry African savannahs. The fruits produced by these species have unique and highly appreciated organoleptic characteristics (aromas and flavors). However, their consumption is limited to the localities where they are found. In addition, the rarity of scientific information on their technological and nutritional potentials constitute an obstacle to their valorization. To bridge this gap, a comparative evaluation of the antioxidant potential of the whole fruit juices from these species was carried out. After physicochemical characterization of the fruits, anti-radical power and reducing activity of the juices were determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and TAC methods. The physicochemical analyses of A. senegalensis indicated values of 7.65 ± 0.99 % (proteins), 32.81 ± 1.08 % (total sugars), 3.98 ± 0.17 % (ash) in opposite to 5.68 ± 0.17 (proteins), 42.45 ± 1.54 % (total sugars), 2.03 ± 0.2 % (ash) of X. americana and 2.97 ± 0.74 % (proteins), 33.62 ± 1.79 % (total sugars), 1.36 ± 0.19 % (ash) of V. doniana. The A. senegalensis juice had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents respectively 1.22 ± 0.01 and 0.36 ± 0.03 g/100 g of FW compared to X. americana (731.93 ± 2.25 and 295.58 ± 1.67 g/100 g respectively) and V. doniana (633.18 ± 1.93 and 111.09 ± 2.44 respectively). A. senegalensis and X. americana had the highest anti-radical activities by DPPH (12.50 ± 0.01) compared to V. donianaand vitamin C standard (8.33 ± 0.02). The ABTS test for the juices from V. doniana and A. senegalensis (14.28 ± 0.01) was compared to X. Americana (9.90 ± 0.01) and vitamin C standard (6.66 ± 0.02). Juices from X. americana had the highest TAC reducing capacity (570.67 ± 1.14 mg EAA / 100 g of FW) compared to V. doniana (521.15 ± 1.93) and A. senegalensis (147.78 ± 2.75). The FRAP test indicated values of 1401.04 ± 1.82 mg/100 g of FW in opposite to X. americana (798.79 ± 1.51) and V. doniana (600.19 ± 2.37). Flavonoids are strongly correlated to antioxidant activity by FRAP (r=0.86) and DPPH (r = 0.96). Tannins (r = 0.98) are strongly correlated with the TAC test.

Genetic control of earliness in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

Global climate change is expected to further intensify the already harsh conditions in the dry savannah ecological zones of sub-Saharan Africa, posing serious threats to food and income security of millions of smallholder farmers. Breeding cowpea for improved earliness could help minimize this risk, by ensuring that the crops complete their lifecycle before the cessation of rainfall. In this study, we crossed two sets of cowpea lines showing contrasting phenotypes for earliness in terms of days to 50% flowering (DFF). One set of the lines comprised three extra-early parents (viz.: Sanzi-Nya, Tobonaa and CB27, 30–35 DFF), and the other set consisted of three early-to-medium maturity lines (viz.: Kirkhouse-Benga, Wang-Kae and Padi-Tuya, 42–45 DFF). The derived crosses and their parents were evaluated for key earliness-related traits at Nyankpala and Manga sites of CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Ghana. To unravel the genetic control of measured traits, we compared the appropriateness of Chi-square goodness of fit tests using classical Mendelian ratios, and frequency distribution (histogram)-related statistics such as skewness and kurtosis. The Chi-square test suggested a single dominant gene mode of inheritance for earliness, whereas the quantitative methods implicated duplicate epistasis and complementary epistatic gene actions. Our results show that coercing segregating lines to fit into classical Mendelian ratios to determine the genetic control of earliness could be misleading, due to its subjectivity. Thus, the genetic control of earliness in cowpea is governed by complementary and duplicate epistasis. The most applicable breeding approach for traits influenced by duplicate epitasis is selection of desirable recombinants from segregating populations developed from bi-parental crosses. Complementary epitasis, as found in the Wang-Kae × CB27 cross, could be exploited in developing improved extra-early lines through backcrossing. Heritability and genetic advance estimates were high for days to first flower appearance (DFFA) and days to 95 % pod maturity (DNPM) in the Padi-Tuya × CB27 and Kirkhouse-Benga x CB27 crosses, indicating that breeding for extra-earliness is feasible. CB27 could be a good donor for introgression of earliness into medium to late maturing improved cowpea varieties, because crosses developed from it had high heritability and genetic advance estimates.

Profiling User Needs for Weather and Climate Information in Fostering Drought Risk Preparedness in Central-Southern Nigeria

Weather and climate information trigger early action and facilitate better disaster preparedness. Decision-driven and people-centered weather and climate information are pivotal for the effective uptake. The challenge of early responses in preparing for drought hazard is growing in the dry savannah of tropical sub-Saharan African countries. This paper analyzed user needs for weather and climate information in fostering drought risk preparedness in Central-Southern Nigeria. Stratified, snowball, and simple random samplings were used to obtain a sample of 397 respondents across the agro-ecological zones of Edo State. Structured questionnaire was used to collect farm-level household data across communities. Eight focus group discussions and 11 key informants' interviews were conducted, targeting contact farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in selected key economic sectors of Edo State, Central-Southern Nigeria. Results show that non-users of weather and climate information are more than users in the savannah area. Heckman probit results explained that male gender, farmers' experience, income, and persistent incidence of erratic rainfall have more propensity to facilitate use of WCI in taking critical decisions while group membership or associations and distance of meteorological station prevent stakeholders from developing interest in using WCI for drought preparedness and response. Multi-criteria decision-making indicated that rainfall amount, onset and cessation rainfall dates, and rainfall distributions are the most useful WCI needed by end users in their decision response plan in agriculture; rainfall intensity, rainfall cessation date, rainfall distributions, and length of dry season are ranked as the most useful WCI for water resource management while heat intensity, rainstorms, and drought alerts were ranked as most appropriate for users in the disaster risk reduction in fostering resilience toward anticipated future drought hazard. Subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) and medium (4–10 days) timescales information are the most highly rated to facilitate resource planning for efficient utilization and management in all the economic sectors. The users' most preferred delivery method of receiving WCI are mobile telephone, radio, agricultural extension officers, farmers' groups, and contact farmers/specialist for efficiency and convenient criteria in enhancing users' decision capacity to uptake WCI. There is a need for a policy drive to build synergy that will make WCI forecasting systems include impact-based forecast estimates and response advisory across a wide range of natural hazards. A seamless collaborative effort in bringing scientific outputs and users' needs together will increase the utility of WCI through systematic efforts. NiMet should improve on its engagement with the stakeholders, the agricultural extension and planning office, water management authorities, and disaster risk reduction and emergency response personnel as partner institutions. These policy actions would provide a robust collaborative framework for co-producing useable WCI based on user needs in managing decision points against extreme events and mainstream preparedness into existing decision-making apparatus of rural communities in Central-Southern Nigeria.

Cowpea leaf width correlates with above ground biomass across diverse environments

AbstractCowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) yields within the dry savannahs of Sub‐Saharan Africa are low. Given the contribution of cowpea to food security in this region, it is essential that high‐yielding varieties are developed to improve crop productivity in a sustainable manner. Identifying morphological or physiological traits that correlate with biomass could assist breeders with rapid screening of diverse germplasm. This study investigated 23 diverse Nigerian cowpea lines in an environmentally controlled greenhouse and 50 diverse lines from a Multiparent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) population in the field to identify easily measurable traits associated with high above ground biomass. Correlation analyses found that leaf traits were significantly and positively correlated with above ground biomass, and the leaf width of the youngest fully expanded leaf was the best indicator of biomass yield. Analysis of variance identified significant differences among the genotypes for all measured traits, indicating that there is genetic variation among these varieties and opportunity for selection. These results from the greenhouse and the field indicate that the leaf width of the youngest fully expanded leaf can be used to rapidly select cowpea lines with high biomass production potential.

Agricultural Land-Use Increases Floral Species Richness in Tropical Dry Forest and Savannah Ecosystems in West Africa

The diversity and structure of plant communities are valuable indicators for assessing landscape quality. Land-use change is one of the main factors considered to affect and have the strongest impacts on biodiversity. In this study, we assessed the effects of the conversion of tropical dry forests and savannahs into agricultural lands on the floral diversity and the structure of the vegetation. For this purpose, we carried out vegetation surveys in 198 plots of 50 m × 50 m. Within each plot, we documented all herbaceous, shrubby, and tree species present. We calculated total, spatial, and local floral diversities by land-use types and characterized the structure of the plant communities. Our results show that the overall floral diversity of the study area remains quite high (483 species of vascular plants from 298 genera and 71 families) and was not strongly impacted by agricultural land use (Pareto inequality index is 23–77). Croplands had the highest spatial (9.4) and local diversities. There was no significant difference between the land-use types in terms of the native species richness while croplands harbored significantly the most alien species. Agricultural land use significantly affected the structure of the plant communities. Trees are very rare in croplands and are frequent in forests and savannahs. The clearing of Guinean dry forests and savannahs for cropping did not automatically lead to a loss of some aspects of ordinary floral diversity. For a better understanding of the effects of land-use change on biodiversity, it would then be more suitable to specify in the studies whether the species concerned are native, alien, generalist, or specialist.

Uncovering the Brazilian Orthocentrinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) fauna: high diversity at high elevation

Abstract The Orthocentrinae is one of the least-studied groups within Ichneumonidae and possibly a major component of the tropical fauna, encompassing a rich but still obscure diversity. In this first attempt to uncover these biota in Brazil, we surveyed a restricted area within mountain chains in the southeastern region immersed in the Atlantic tropical forest, using several sampling methods along an elevational gradient. Using integrative taxonomy, we found a richness eight times higher than the current number of species known in Brazil, including 13 genera, of which 10 are new to the country. The 127 molecular taxonomic units found represent an increase of at least 50% in species for the Neotropical fauna, confirming the immense gap in taxonomic knowledge of this group in the Neotropics. Analyses of elevational gradient patterns of distribution indicated an increase in species elevational ranges with increasing elevation, supporting Rapoport’s rule. A key including all 14 genera occurring in Brazil is proposed, aiming to facilitate future taxonomic reviews and encourage research on this group. Orthocentrinae is a major component of the fauna and likely to be more diverse in wet lowland tropical forests; however, taxonomic and faunistic studies in tropical areas, including dry forests and savannahs, are needed.

Cowpea Production Challenges and Contribution to Livelihood in Sub-Saharan Region

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important grain legume mainly grown in tropical and subtropical regions for vegetables, grains, and fodder. The crop is grown predominantly in the dry savannahs to the Sahel in the fringes of the Sahara Desert where the annual rainfall is around 300 mm or less. Cowpea provides shelter as a cover crop and improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Its grain is preferred for high levels of protein, energy, micro-and macronutrients. Cowpea belongs to the family Fabaceae and sub-family Faboidea, and it is a self-pollinating crop with low and narrow genetic diversity, making it susceptible to various environmental factors. Various research projects have been established on cowpea, and as a result, various cowpea germplasm is stored at Africa International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)—Nigeria, the USDA repository in Griffin, GA (USA), the University of California, Riverside, CA (USA), and at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi, India. Despite the available germplasms, cowpea productivity remains very low in many countries due to a wide array of abiotic and biotic stresses and socio-economic constraints. This review summarizes some aspects of cowpea, including origin and history, challenges, economic importance, and constraints to production, providing possible useful information for cowpea researchers, agronomists, and producers in SSA.

Making biodiversity work for coffee production. A case study of Gayo Arabica coffee in Indonesia

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life encompassing the ‘existing’ variations at all level, starting from the tiny genes within a species up to a broader sense consisted of habitats within ecosystem. It is urgently needed as long as human is still exist on this earth. Therefore, its proper utilization and correct application of biodiversity bring great advantage in tangible and non-tangible benefits. Indonesia is known as the third largest biodiversity hotspots; both its flora and fauna. It has also tremendous diverse ecosystems extended from west to east; with amplitude of variation ranging from humid tropical rain forests until a very dry savannah type at the eastern part of Nusa Tenggara. Furthermore, Indonesia is also known as the fourth world highest producer of coffee; with a total production 11,49 million kg in 2016-2017. The Gayo highlands on the northern tip of Sumatra are known as the major production of arabica coffee. There, up to ten varieties of commercial arabica coffee are planted on the highlands. The origin of coffee is in Ethiopia, which is believed as the center of the commercial coffee species in this world: C. arabica and C. canephora. The objective of this paper is to review the status of coffee, esp. the arabica one from various perspectives, ranging from the biology, history of coffee, the processing of coffee (wet vs. dry methods), and how the component of natural biodiversity can be applied in order to enhance the coffee production, particularly on the Gayo highlands.

Seasonality and landscape characteristics impact species community structure and temporal dynamics of East African butterflies

Species community structures respond strongly to habitat changes. These are either driven by nature or human activities. The biota of East African drylands responds highly sensitively to natural and anthropogenic impacts. Thus, seasonality strongly influences resource availability in a cyclic manner during the year, with cyclic appearance of the different developmental stages of invertebrates, while man-made landscape transformations profoundly and permanently modify habitat structures and, as a consequence, species communities. Butterflies are an excellent model group for the study of the effects of seasonality, and to test for biodiversity responses to anthropogenic activities such as habitat modification, degradation and destruction. We performed transect counts of adult butterflies in riparian forests and their adjoining areas, either dry savannahs with occasional pasturing (i.e. near-natural status) or farmland areas with fields, gardens and settlements (i.e. highly degraded status with lack of original vegetation). Transects were set along the river beds as well as at 250 m and 500 m distances parallel to these rivers, with eight transects per distance class and site (i.e. 48 transects in total). We recorded habitat structures for each transect. Counts were conducted during the dry and the rainy season, with 16 repetitions for each single transect, i.e. eight per season and transect. We compiled trait data on morphology, geographic distribution, ecology, behaviour, and life-history for all butterfly species encountered. Our results show higher species richness and numbers of individuals in farmland transects compared with the savannah region. Seasonal fluctuations of the detectable species abundances between the rainy and dry season were severe. These fluctuations were much more pronounced for the savannah than the farmland area, i.e. was buffered by human activities. Farmland and savannah support two distinct butterfly communities, with generalist species being more common in the farmland communities. Strict habitat associations were comparatively weak and typical dry savannah and riparian forest species were not clearly restricted to the near natural landscape.