Impacts of Rainfall and Temperatures on Socioeconomic and Environmental Sectors in the Communes of Tondikiwindi and Ouallam, Department of Ouallam, Region of Tillaberi, Niger Republic

The communes of Tondikiwindi and Ouallam in Niger experience changes in rainfall and temperatures like the whole of ahel. This paper focuses on understanding the impacts of these climate parameters on socio-economic and environmental sectors. The methodology is based on calculations of various indices (Lamb, 1982; Tabony, 1977; FAO / UNESCO, 1979) and determination of temperatures within maxima and minima values. With regard to the rainfall evolution, three periods were noted including a long dry period (1968-1989), a relatively wet period (1990-1998), and a period of great variability with an alternation of wet and dry years (1999 -2015). A trend in the South has been noticed in the start and at the end of the rainy season, with a slight decrease in the rainy days. For the temperatures, an increase was registered from 1968 up to date with some slight changes. This is due to the occurrence of the phenomena related to the El Niño or ENSO Southern Oscillation. In terms of impacts, there were several food crises and population migration both inside and outside of the country. On the other hand, the return to a relatively humid phase has led to a change in the Northern limit of cultures, whose corollary is the exacerbation of conflicts between shared natural resources users. This return to an increase in rainfall has also led to major floods that have favored the creation of new permanent or semipermanent pools. Hence, it is necessary to develop a new model of sustainable development for this geographical entity

Succession des communautés végétales des jachères protégées en zone sahélienne: cas de Banizoumbou (Niger)

Objectif: L’importance de la perturbation (en durée ou en intensité) semble décisive pour déterminer l'état de la végétation et la dynamique successionnelle. L’objectif de la présente étude est d'examiner les variations des paramètres écologiques des champs et des jachères protégées de Banizoumbou.Méthodologie et résultats: Les relevés phyto-sociologiques ont été réalisés selon la méthode sigmatiste de Braun-Blanquet (1932). L’échantillonnage a été effectué sur la base de types des systèmes, ainsi les jachères et les champs ont fait l’objet d’inventaire suivant 6 transect, des placettes de 1000 m2 équidistantes de 500 m ont été placé. Ainsi au total 33 relevés ont été effectués dont 18 dans la jachère et 15 relevés dans le champ. Il ressort de l’étude que la diversité dépend de stade successionnel même à l’intérieur d’un même type d’occupation. L’analyse des indices montre qu’en plus des jachères, les champs sont aussi d’importantes sources de biodiversité. Ainsi l’indice de diversité de Shannon évolue en fonction de l’âge de jachère et de champ, mais toute fois il évolue beaucoup plus rapidement au niveau de jachère que le champ. La densité moyenne de la zone d’étude est de 260 individus par hectare dont Guiera senegalensis représente plus de 70%. La hauteur moyenne, le diamètre moyen, la densité moyenne et le recouvrement moyen les plus élevés sont observés au niveau des jachères.Conclusion et application of résultats: la présente étude a montré que la variation de la diversité végétale est une fonction de l’âge aussi bien au niveau des champs que les jachères. Ainsi la diversité évolue plus rapidement au niveau des jachères.Mots clés: Succession des communautés végétales, jachères protégées de BanizoumbouEnglish AbstractObjective: The importance of disturbance (duration or intensity) seems decisive in determining the state of vegetation and successional dynamics. The purpose of this study is to study and examine variations in the floristic richness, diversity and production of protected fallow land in Banizoumbou.Methodology and Results: The phyto-sociological surveys were carried out according to the sigmatist method of Braun-Blanquet (1932). Sampling was carried out on the basis of land use types, so fallows and fields were  inventoried following 6 transect, 1000 square meter equidistant plots of 500 m were set. A total of 33 surveys were carried out, including 18 in the fallows and 15 in the fields. Our findings show that diversity depends on the successional stage even within the same type of land use. Analysis of the indices shows that in addition to fallow land, fields are also important sources of biodiversity. Thus, Shannon's diversity index increases according to the fallow and field age, but this increase is much higher in the fallows in than the fields. The results reveal also that average density of the study area is 260 individuals per hectare, of which Guiera senegalensis represents more than 70%. The mean height, mean diameter, average density and highest average cover were observed at fallow land.Conclusion and Application of results: The present study showed that variation in plant diversity is a function of age at both field and fallow land. Thus diversity evolves more rapidly at fallow land.Keywords: Succession of plant communities, protected fallow land of Banizoumbo

Étude floristique des formations naturelles à Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana en zone sahélienne du Niger

This study was conducted in the departments of Maine-Sorao and Goudoumaria located in the region of Diffa, in the extreme south-east of Niger. The objective of the study is to analyse the ecological and floristic indicators of natural formations of Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan. Phytosociological data were collected using the sigmatist method of Braun-Blanquet and the quadrat point method of Daget and Poissonet. A total of 80 plots were delimited. The data collected are related to the coverage of plant species and environmental variables. The spectra of biological and phytogeographic types were calculated. Hierarchical Ascending Classification (AHC), Canonical Defined Analysis (CDA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to determine plant groupings and their ecological and floristic characteristics. The results revealed a total species richness of 61 plant species divided into 25 families and 51 genera. The most represented families are Poaceae (19.7%) and Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (11.5%). The Therophytes are the most represented biological type (59.0%). Paleotropical species is the dominant phytogeographic type (37.7%). The hierarchical ascending classification (CHA) and the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) made it possible to discriminate three (3) plant groups with A. tortilis. These are the group with A. tortilis and Echinochloa colona (G1) observed in the lowlands; the group with A. tortilis and Alysicarpus ovalifolius (G2) on the dune slopes and the group with A. tortilis and Chloris barbata (G3) on the dune flats. Analysis of diameter class structures shows a dominance of small-diameter individuals in all groups with shape c parameters of the theoretical Weibull distribution greater than 1, suggesting that A. tortilis stands are characterized by a lack of regeneration, the causes of which include fruit picking by shepherds and overgrazing. These results reveal the state of degradation and disturbance of steppe vegetation in the study areas. This study constitutes a reference state that can serve as a basis for sustainable management of the ecosystems of these areas, whose main uses are essentially pastoral.  Keywords: Acacia tortilis, Biological types, Phytogeographic types, Floristic diversity, NigerLa présente étude a été conduite dans les départements de Maine-Sorao et Goudoumaria situés dans la région de Diffa, à l’extrême sud-est du Niger. L’objectif de l’étude est d’analyser les indicateurs écologique et floristique des formations naturelles à Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan. Les données phytosociologiques ont été collectées à l’aide de la méthode sigmatiste de Braun-Blanquet et celle de point quadrat de Daget et Poissonet. Au total, 80 placettes ont été délimitées. Les données collectées sont relatives au recouvrement des espèces végétales et les variables environnementales. Les spectres des types biologiques et phytogéographiques ont été calculés. La classification hiérarchique ascendante (CHA), l’Analyse Canonique Detendancée (DCA) et l’Analyse Canonique des Correspondances (CCA) ont été utilisées pour déterminer les groupements végétaux et leurs caractéristiques écologique et floristique. Les résultats ont révélé une richesse spécifique totale de 61 espèces végétales reparties en 25 familles et 51 genres. Les familles les plus représentées sont les Poaceae (19,7%) et les Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (11,5 %). Les Thérophytes constituent le type biologique le plus représenté (59,0%). Les espèces Paléotropicales est le type phytogéographique dominant (37,7%). La classification hiérarchique ascendante (CHA) et l’Analyse Canonique des Correspondances (CCA) ont permis de discriminer trois (3) groupements végétaux à A. tortilis. Il s’agit du groupement à Acacia tortilis et Echinochloa colona (G1) observé dans les bas-fonds ; du groupement à Acacia tortilis et Alysicarpus ovalifolius (G2) sur les versants dunaires et du groupement à Acacia tortilis et Chloris barbata (G3) sur les replats dunaires. L’analyse des structures en classe de diamètres montre une dominance des individus de faible diamètre au niveau de tous les groupements avec des paramètres de forme c de la distribution théorique de Weibull supérieur à 1. Cela suggère que les peuplements de A. tortilis sont caractérisés par un manque de régénération dont les causes sont entre autres le ramassage des fruits par les bergers et le surpâturage. Ces résultats révèlent l’état de dégradation et de perturbation de végétation steppique des zones d’étude. Cette étude constitue un état de référence pouvant servir de base pour une gestion durable des écosystèmes de ces zones dont les principales utilisations sont essentiellement pastorales.  Mots clés: Acacia tortilis, Types biologiques, Types phytogéographiques, Diversité floristique, Nige

Capacitating Science-Policy dialogue platforms to trigger actions for accessing climate finance: experiences and lessons learnt from Ghana, Mali and Niger

Adequate financial resources are key barriers limiting the effectiveness and sustainability of the national science-policy dialogue platforms in West Africa. This Info Note documents the outcomes of and lessons learnt from capacity building activities to science-policy dialogue platforms in Ghana, Mali and Niger and how the capacity building program empowered the platforms and/or triggered actions for accessing climate finance. A structured engagement and capacity building approach was implemented to strength resource mobilization capacity of the science-policy dialogue platforms in Ghana, Mali and Niger. The approach has enabled the development of three GCF concept notes and two bilateral donor proposals for accessing climate finance. The structured engagement and capacity building approach adopted was instrumental in triggering actions. The strong commitment and leadership of the institutions hosting the secretariat of the platforms were also crucial in triggering action

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Niger - Land, climate, energy, agriculture and development: A study in the Sudano-Sahel Initiative for Regional Development, Jobs, and Food Security

The Sahel is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change in the world. Located in the central part, Niger is facing many complex and interconnected challenges which strongly hinder the achievement of the key sustainable development goals (SDGs). The high population growth rate (3.8% per year), weak infrastructure capacity, shortage of essential resources (including water, energy, food) coupled with the adverse impacts of variability and climate change threaten the population and reduce the country’s economic growth efforts. With more than 77% of landmass area receiving less than 150 mm of precipitation yearly, and about 80% of the population depending on rainfed agriculture, water scarcity and dryness constitute serious constraints for the agriculture and livestock sectors. In addition, the unequal distribution of agricultural land and livestock worsens the poverty incidence among households, which is characterized by a GINI coefficient of 0.46 and 0.68 for land and livestock respectively. Access to drinking water remains very poor with high disparities between urban (64%) and rural areas (48%). Water sanitation amounting to only 2% in rural and 38% in urban areas, respectively, also remains a great issue. Elsewhere, several drought and flood episodes have negatively impacted agricultural productivity, causing recurrent famines and livestock losses. The situation is exacerbated by the impacts of land degradation, the advancement of desertification and also by climate change and variability threats, which are projected to increase in magnitude, intensity, duration and number over the country under all climate change scenarios. The country’s high potential of renewable and non-renewable groundwater resources can be used for residential, agricultural and industrial purposes to overcome negative climate change impacts. Regarding the energy sector, the country is currently in an undesirable state, with very limited modern energy services (2% of the population), low electricity access (average rate of 18%, with around 10% in rural areas) and high dependency on traditional biomass (77% of primary energy consumption). However, the country is fortunate to have a tremendous amount of energy resources, including fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) and renewables (solar, hydropower, and wind), that can be used to overcome many of the observed challenges and thereby contribute significantly in the achievement of various SDGs, including those related to affordable and clean energy, no poverty, and zero hunger. Indeed, in addition to resources for electricity production, Niger has a large surface water potential in the Niger River, with an average discharge of 6000 m3/s and length of about 550 km, which can be mobilized for irrigation to enable food security. Therefore, socioeconomic development requires an integrated approach that brings all the key sectors into a common framework in order to solve the aforementioned challenges. Hence, in key development areas, several development policies and strategies from government, NGOs, and technical and financial partners have been initiated and implemented for inequality and poverty reduction to improve livelihoods in the country

Barriers and Enablers to effective science-policy interfacing for CSA mainstreaming: lessons learnt from the science-policy platforms in West Africa

This Info Note provides a synthesis of barriers and enablers of effective science-policy interfacing using the cases of the national science-policy dialogue platforms in Ghana, Mali and Niger. Using a participatory SWOT analysis, the study analyzed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the platforms’ effectiveness and sustainability across the three countries. The synthesis of the analysis provides an overview of factors that could limit or facilitate effective science-policy engagement in West Afric

Bio-behavioural HIV survey in prisons on men and women in Burkina Faso.

BackgroundDespite the severity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Burkina Faso, data on specific groups are scant especially concerning prisoners. AimsThe objective of this study was to determine HIV prevalence and risky behavior in Burkina Faso prisons in order to assist in HIV prevention and AIDS case management decision making among prisoners. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out from September 3–10, 2014 among 18 years aged and over prisoners, in prisons of each of the 13 administrative regions of Burkina Faso with prisoners’ informed consent. Data were collected using a questionnaire that covered general informations on HIV/autoimmune insufficiency syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), coupled with blood samples collection, for HIV laboratory analysis purpose.Results A total of 1,079 prisoners participated in this study. The participation rate for interviews was and blood samples collections were 100 per cent. The majority of participants (97.8 per cent) were men, among whom 9.7 per cent reported a history of STIs. Nearly 50 per cent of these took no precautions to avoid infecting their sexual partners. Implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in prisons was low (43.2 per cent). Condom use was also low (11.2 per cent). HIV infection Screening was insufficient: only two out of five prisoners had at least one HIV screening. HIV screening opportunities was uncommon and prisoners pointed out the lack of organization of screening campaigns in prisons. HIV prevalence was nearly 3 per cent. ConclusionThe exposure level of prisoners to HIV transmission prevention interventions was low. Specific measures are needed to increase condom use for HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention in prisons