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).
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.
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.
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.
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
Global Giving (2022). Explore projects: Africa, Niger, ecosystem restoration &
wildlife conservation.
Merriam-Webster (2022). Definition of biodiversity. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from
https://www.merriam webster.com/dictionary/biodiversity#:~:text=Definition%20of%20
biodiversity,species%20of%20plants%20and%20animals
National Geographic (2022). Biodiversity. National Geographic. Retrieved
fromhttps://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biodiversity
Shah, A. (2014). Why is biodiversity important? Who cares? Global Issues. Retrieved from
https://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-
cares#WhyisBiodiversityImportant
The New Humanitarian (2006). Niger: Tide turning on desertification. OCHA Services.
Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/niger/niger-tide-turning-desertification
Udo, E. (2018). Nigeria: Steps to follow to register a non-governmental organization. Retrieved from
https://www.mondaq.com/nigeria/charities-non-profits-/664424/steps-to-follow-to-register-a- non-governmental-organization-ngo
USDA (n.d). Web soil survey. Retrieved from
https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm
Venket, N. (2022). Facts about the Desert Rose: Description, adaptation, and care. Owlcation.
Retrieved from https://owlcation.com/stem/Interesting-Facts-About-the-Desert-Rose-Plant
Whitaker, E. (2020). On combating drought and desertification: You can make a difference. US
Embassy in Niger. Retrieved from https://ne.usembassy.gov/on-combating-drought-and-
desertification-you-can-make-a-difference/
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