Millions in Africa face starvation as huge locust swarms descend ...
2020年6月26日 · The most serious desert locust outbreak in 70 years could leave nearly 5 million people in East Africa facing starvation, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It comes as many of the countries in the region are already struggling to manage food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drones and helicopters are battling India's fast-spreading locust …
2020年7月2日 · India, battling its worst desert locust outbreak for decades, pressed into service 12 drones to track the movement of locusts and spray insecticides on the swarms. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has amended rules to allow state government officials to use drones at night, a step that experts have said may help neutralise the locusts.
How can we control locust swarms? | World Economic Forum
From the Biblical plagues of Egypt to a major infestation in Madacasgar two years ago, locust swarms have caused chaos throughout history. Just one swarm can cover 20% of the land surface of the Earth, affecting the livelihood of 10% of the world’s population by consuming up to 200 tonnes of vegetation per day .
What effect to insects and pests have on crop production? | World ...
2021年6月8日 · "Others, such as the desert locust (the world's most destructive migratory pest), are expected to change their migratory routes and geographical distribution because of climate change." There was an increased risk of pests spreading in agricultural and forestry ecosystems, especially in cooler Arctic, boreal, temperate and subtropical regions ...
Locust swarms threaten to devastate crops in eastern Africa
2020年12月21日 · From January to August, massive desert locust swarms swept across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, ravaging crops and decimating pasture in the worst outbreak in decades. Puntland authorities estimate that almost one-third of farmers have gone out of business and more than 35,000 families have lost jobs and income due to the devastation caused by ...
How can technology be used in the battle against world hunger?
2018年11月22日 · 4. Globally, a mobile app called eLocust3 is being used to monitor and quickly detect one of the most dangerous migratory pest species in the world, the desert locust. The app combines the latest advances in information, communication and satellite technologies into a unified monitoring and early warning system.
What impact will climate change have on insects? | World …
2021年9月2日 · On the other hand, increased precipitation can support fresh vegetation (food for insects) and can facilitate population buildup of insects. As seen with the desert locust, for example, prolonged rain allowed them to have food, multiply in numbers and spread. This was also the case for the fall armyworm; plentiful rains supported the growth of ...
Deserts are getting hotter and bigger. Protecting the 'biocrust' can ...
2022年5月16日 · But a study of desert areas in the south-western United States shows they are more vulnerable than previously thought. “Biological soil crusts (biocrusts), comprised of mosses, lichens and cyanobacteria are key components to many dryland communities,” wrote the team from the US Geological Survey (USGS) when presenting their findings, which ...
What is desertification and why is it important to understand?
One of the most prominent examples of desertification is the Aralkum desert in central Asia. In the 1960s, the area was covered by the fourth-largest lake in the world, the Aral Sea. Since then, it has shrunk to a tenth of its former size, with only three small, highly salty lakes remaining.
AI has counted over 1.8 billion trees in the Sahara Desert | World ...
2020年10月26日 · There are far more trees in the West African Sahara Desert than you might expect, according to a study that combined artificial intelligence and detailed satellite imagery. Researchers counted over 1.8 billion trees and shrubs in the 1.3 million square kilometer (501,933 square miles) area that covers the western-most portion of the Sahara ...