Biodiversity Stewardship in a Social-Economical Challenged Environment: A Look into Niger and Desertification

Biodiversity Stewardship in a Social-Economical Challenged Environment:

A Look into Niger and Desertification

David A. Cleveland

Area Study: Niger (Focused area Niamey, Niger)

Focus: Desertification in Niger

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) stated in 2006 that over 250 million people from the regions of Mongolia to Africa faced concerns directly related to desertification (The New Humanitarian, 2006). Niger strives to curve this issue by preserving natural vegetation and planting trees. Researchers in the W National Park (Park W) indicated 10 to 20 times more trees than 30 years earlier. Additional efforts to manage 1,500 hectares of dunes reached 1.5 billion CFA, equivalent to 2.8 million US dollars. The project targeted threatened roads, communities, and croplands. Although Nigeriens made significant gains toward curving the growth of desertification, the growing population, energy demands, pollution, and waste threaten food safety and supplies (Whitaker, 2020). The chief concern is the desert consumes the environment at unsustainable rates placing tree cover, agricultural production, ecosystems, and biodiversity at risk.

 

So why this region and interest? I am interested in many countries within Northwest Africa because of my job over the past six years. I have traveled to several regional locations, including Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Chad, Senegal, and Niger. I love the area and, more importantly, the people. Therefore, as I am currently deployed to Niger, I would like to focus my biodiversity stewardship on current challenges within the country. This opportunity allows me to engage with local Nigerien conservationists, US Embassy of Niger employees, and local nationals. The goal is to comprehensively understand the challenges Niger faces and develop a plan of action to address issues caused by desertification.

Definitions

 Author's Definition of Biodiversity: The aggregation of several flora and fauna species creates a functional and sustaining ecosystem. The diversity of species aids in evolution and supports a flourishing environment. 

Wester’s Definition of Biodiversity: Biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals (Merriam-Webster 2022). 

 

National Geographic Definition of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans(National Geographic 2022).  

    My initial thought on the importance of biodiversity locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally is that it is one of the most critical factors in ensuring survival and the fundamentals of resiliency. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity, which provides a functioning supply of oxygen, clean water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment, and many other services (Shah, 2014). The importance of local biodiversity is its effect on regional and national biodiversity. The more significant number of plant species ensures a greater variety of crops. This process enables a variety of species and multiple means to feed. 

    

    Conversely, this pattern further builds the ecosystem's resiliency following natural disasters. Regional, national, and international systems will have the foundation for protected waterways, fertile soil, a stable climate, and predictable recovery if local ecosystems are diverse. If we fail to foster a sustainable, biodiverse local ecosystem, the remainder of the environment will suffer. 

Ecology

    This ecology 101 brief looks to identify critical factors within the field of ecology and how ecosystems and organisms shape the environment. The link below will take each reader to a google drive page with the full details of the brief. 

Google Drive Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fee7sx1Uz3KOKypsq6ZoSANUtwevNJbl/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104786077998833154111&rtpof=true&sd=true

Interactive Mapping Tools:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1T88cZMhZLrzAx9iqTrtUgk1Vl-IuP2s&usp=sharing

    There are several mapping programs to choose from as professionals look to depict their projects. Some standard tools are Google Earth, ArcGIS, and Google My Maps. I used Google My Maps as my primary mapping tool for this project. I found the application intuitive and valuable for essential mapping developments. What I found most applicable about the program is the ability to save one’s work to Google Drive. This process enables multiple users to contribute as the map is developed. The step I took was naming the project, which allows the user to have various maps saved in their Google Drive. Next, I scrolled to the bottom left of the page to identify a mapping base layer. I found the muted google map to be one of the best base layers because of the muted region and village names, but it provided enough detail to obtain a common operational picture. Following the base map selection, I added layers to aid interactions with this map. The current layers are villages/locations, regions, and electricity. The village layer lists typical villages overlaid on the Niger base map. The region overlay includes three polygons that depict the Tillaberi Region, Park W National Park, and prime desertification areas within Niger. Lastly, the electrical overlay provides a link on the map that identifies the demographic of people in Niger that have and do not have electricity. I have embedded a photo within each polygon to provide the reader with a depiction of the environment. Future efforts include view-sheds and demographic polygons to enhance the reader’s further understanding Niger.

Climate and Weather Information 

Niamey is situated in a hot semi-arid climate zone consistent with desert conditions. There is little to no rainfall throughout the year except for the rainy season from July to mid-September to early November. The average high during the summer months is 86 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The moderate joy during he remainder of the year is 77 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During the rainy season, there are anywhere from 2.4 inches to 4.7 inches of rainfall throughout the month. From November to April, there is very little rain.    

 

https://fr.climate-data.org/afrique/niger/niamey-1352/

The Climate-Data.Org website provided essential weather and climate information within the targeted area. The site offers multiple regions for the user to select to obtain a more accurate average. The main graphs on this website consist of temperature and rainfall. Under the main Niamey graph, there are additional links to get detailed information for each month of the year. Once the user selects a month, the site will provide information on several different climate fields. The site covers average, minimum, maximum, rainfall, humidity, rainy days, and sun hours. The site is in French because it derives from a foreign domain. The site does provide a means for translation if the user does not speak French.

 

https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/niger/climate-data-historical

The climate change knowledge portal for development practitioners and policymakers is a comprehensive website that provides leaders with helpful information to enable decisions. The site offers historical climate information on climatology, trends and variabilities, climate projections, mean data, extremes, vulnerabilities, and sea-level information. This site provides policymakers with timely information to make educated decisions on climate issues. 

 Web Soil Survey 

As James Brewer was going through the web soil survey site and PowerPoint, I found the non-irrigated crops to be one of the most exciting aspects of the brief. This site does not cover my area of interest, Niamey, Niger. I decided to look at locations that mirrored Niger’s climate. So when James started talking about non-irrigated crops, I began to think about the rainy season here in Niamey and wondered how soil nutrients would be preserved if flash floods continued for several months; and how that might affect non-irrigated crops. The soils flooded for eight months of the year are low in pH and plant available nutrients, while the dominant clay mineral is kaolinite. Lgwe, Zarei, and Stahr (2004) further explained that “Kaolinite and interlayered vermiculite were negatively correlated, indicating the negative contribution of these clay minerals to the plant nutrient reserve of these soils.” Kaolinite is particularly helpful when it comes to repelling insects and also fungal diseases. The negative contribution of these clay minerals and the heavy rainfall greatly hinder yields throughout the year. The lack of nutrient-rich soil, low yields, and temperature continue to contribute to desertification in Niger.

Chemical Soil Properties from Moab, Utah - Web Soil Survey Site

Invasive Plant Species in Niger

Water hyacinth is a leaf cluster adjoined by smooth stolons. The leafy groups create dense structures in the water that clog major waterways and create irrigation, drainage, harvesting, and hydroelectric issues. The clusters of leaves have spongy stalks that rise from a dark purple feathery root base. The Water-hyacinth is free floating and can grow up to twelve inches long from the bottom to the tip and six inches wide. Water hyacinth is a native South American plant that will grow in various aquatic habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, and marshes. It will produce most prolifically in water with high nutrient content. Water Hyacinth is not a resilient plant in high saline or brackish waters. Water lily (Nymphaeaceae) is a freshwater flowering plant native to temperate and tropical ecosystems. Water lily will also cover the surface, causing a reduction of light penetration throughout the body of water. Water Hyacinth Roots and Pistia are also floating plants. However, some believe that Pistia has some benefits as they provide shelter for younger fish.

• 10 to 20 cm across, and float above the water surface 

• Long spongy and bulbous stalks

• Feather and free-hanging fibrous roots

• Flowers 8 to 15 singular spikes that are purple or lavender with 6 petals 

• Vertical size varies from a few inches to over three feet tall.

PowerPoint Presentation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1G-TAbzuK_dPyfOkRKwXQBFuT1Qmw8P-OoQ__syQZGMU/edit?usp=sharing

Dendrology of Niamey 

PowerPoint Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J-Nb1H6MAq5YSI91drh5U-kNWu3PvGto/view

  Agency and NGOs in Niamey, Niger 

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID’s primary charter is to carry out our US foreign policy by promoting systems aimed toward stability, free societies, markets, and international trade. This agency leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives and strengthen regional governance. Their direct foreign assistance comes from health, stability, humanitarian aid, innovation and partnership, and empowerment of women and girls. USAID works with over 100 different companies to foster goodwill abroad. Each country has a unique focus due to the challenges they face. In particular, Niamey, Niger sends most of its efforts toward agriculture, food security, and desertification, as it ties into the ability to generate sustainable crops.

Steps for establishing a 501c(3) organization

Core Members / Key Stakeholders:

David – Founder / Board Member
John – Core Member / Board President
Sue – Core Member / Board VP
Dan – Core Member / COO
Kim – Core Member / CFO
Kevin – CTO
Jack – Public Affairs
Jane – Marketing
All other positions Vacant
---------------------------------------------------
Niger Government
World Bank / African Development Bank
APOPO Hero Trees
People 4 Nature Green Climate Fund
URGENT: Sustain a conservancy through the pandemic
Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists
USAID
Niger Citizens
Niger Religious Leaders

STEP/TASK	ROLE	TIMELINE
Develop a plan. Generate a general concept of the operation with the core group members. This process includes laying out the organization's beliefs, mission, and purpose. This process will also have the top charter of the NGO and core beliefs. This will answer the question of what the nonprofit organization does and what it wants to do.	PI: Core Members (See list above) AI: All NGO Members	1 Aug 2022
Select a name. During the development of the NGO, it is essential to develop a name that captures the essence of what the organization is trying to achieve. This focus helps to target the appropriate market, which allows for selling and raising money for the cause.	Core Members	1 Aug 2022
Appoint trustee(s) and board of directors. In Niger, a trustee or board member must be over 18 years of age and have a sound mind. They must not have any negative offenses involving fraud or dishonesty within five years of their appointment.	Core Members	7 Aug 2022
Establish a website and technical infrastructure. Coordinate with core members and key stakeholders to develop an active account to reach the key audience. Additionally, ensure a functional operations center to conduct critical work as the organization grows.	PI: Kevin	10 Aug 2022
Develop a marketing strategy. Develop a plan to target your audience; how do you plan to reach a wide range of people to focus on what matters to you most? This answer will assist with the next step, a critical question investor ask.	PI: Jane AI: Core Members	14 Aug 2022
Consult an accredited solicitor. A solicitor can assist with incorporation matters through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and post-execution. The solicitor will help with name availability searches and reservations, publication of notices, drafting of the NGO constitution, drafting of the minutes of the meeting, incorporation documents, submission, and filling. Lastly, the solicitor will assist with collecting the NGO's certification of incorporation and opening a bank account in the NGO's name. The solicitor will also advise members to establish an LCC for personal liability.	PI: Sue & Dan AI: Core Members	15 Nov 2022
Structure the budget and fundraising process. What do you currently earn through fundraising? What do you foresee making through fundraising? How much money are you asking for? An NGO / 501c is a tax-free mechanism for the business to conduct activities. Suppose the NGO is, of course, deemed not-for-profit and structures itself accordingly. The CFO will look to capture this information in annual reports to ensure money in is accounted for, and cash-out goes towards the right things.	PI: Kim AI: Core Members	1st Annual Report Due 1 Aug 2023   1st QTR Report Due 5 Mar 2023
Finalize corporate image, name protection, and financial institution. Niger follows the same practices as the United States, where the organization will request an employee's identification number (EIN for a nonprofit organization) and obtain a DUNS number to conduct transactions with other governmental organizations.	PI: Dan & Kim AI: Core Members	5 Jan 2023

Reference

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            laxiflorus

Feedipedia (2022). Atil (Maerua crassifolia). Retrieved from https://www.feedipedia.org/node/130

Global Giving (2022). Explore projects: Africa, Niger, ecosystem restoration &                                    

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            https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10333-004-0040-9

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            https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm

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