FIGHTING AGAINST DESERTICATION IN AFRICATripartite call for proposals Africa-Brazil-France

Michel.Bouvet@ird.frJean-Louis.Pham@ird.fr

Desertification : degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas.

Caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations.

A global challenge

•Desertification affects 40% of the earth's land.

• If no action is undertaken, 10 million hectares of arable land will be lost annually.

• 1/3 of worldpopulation could be affected.

• All continents are concerned,especially Africa where 37% of lands are threatened.

Example of the Iullemeden basinNiger

•rural area

•poor and fragile soils

•surface runoff ending in temporary ponds

•rapid increase in population

•rapid increase in cultivated areas

Complex dynamics

Leduc 2012

The Iullemeden basin: long-term groundwater dynamics

• decrease in rainfall in the 70s and 80s

• long-term rise in groundwater

Leduc 2012

The Iullemeden basin: long-term groundwater dynamics

Explained by the change in vegetation:

• expansion of cultivated fields (increase in population, lower productivity)

• higher surface runoff(greater water transfer to temporary pools, greater erosion)

Leduc 2012

Bezancon et al. 2008, Vigouroux et al. 2011

1976 2003

Selection for earlier flowering crop associated with climatic variations in the Sahel

1976

2003

50-55 days55-60 days60-65 days65-70 days

70-75 days

75-80 days

80+ days

1976

2003

Flowering date

50-55 days

..

…

80+ days

1976-2003 : The same pearl millet landraces are cultivated in Niger

Through the tripartite call for proposals Africa/Brazil/France,IRD / AIRD (France), APGMV (Africa), CGEE and CNPq (Brazil)have joined forces to support the fight against desertification.

1- Structure aresearchcommunitybringing togetherAfrican, Brazilianand Frenchresearchers

2- Build scientific capacities and developknowledge on arid and semi-arid regions in Africa

3- Strengthen links betweenscience & society

Agriculture and Food,Management of natural resources (water, soil, biodiversity, ...),Adaptation to climate change,Human and sustainable development Governance,Technology and innovation

• Agriculture and Food• Management of natural resources (water, soil, biodiversity, ...)• Adaptation to climate change• Human and sustainable development • Governance• Technology and innovation

to be supported1. Multidisciplinary research projects (3 years) bringing

together researchers from three continents.

2. Geographical priorities: arid and semi-arid African regions.

3. Dimensions to be promoted: capacity building, scientific exchanges and the promotion of science among local communities.

4. Projects with two objectives: generate new knowledge and promote its socio-economic exploitation.

Projects

to be supported1. Multidisciplinary research projects (3 years) bringing

together researchers from three continents.

2. Geographical priorities: arid and semi-arid African regions.

3. Dimensions to be promoted: capacity building, scientific exchanges and the promotion of science among local communities.

4. Projects with two objectives: generate new knowledge and promote its socio-economic exploitation.

Projects

Call open until 12 November 2012www.aird.fr

Thank you