SAIC Employee’s Research in Niger Yields Optimism for Africa

"We're seeing two things," Tappan said. "The areas that are not farmed, such as the savannahs, have a loss of vegetative cover and a loss of species. These are very serious things. But, the surprise — and this is gaining a lot of attention among our peer scientists — is that we're seeing an increase in tree density and biological diversity in agricultural areas, the areas with most people. This is counter to what you would expect to find."

In fact, the tree cover in this area of Niger is five to 20 times more dense than in the 1970s. In addition to the Landsat images provided by the Center for EROS, which SAIC helps run, this determination comes from assembling aerial photos and interviewing local farmers.

Long-term changes in Niger

Tappan is a geographer working for the U.S. Geological Survey's Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS). He is part of a worldwide team conducting research into long-term land cover changes in Niger. Using satellite images from the Center for EROS and decades old aerial photographs, Tappan is mapping and quantifying land use to achieve a long-term view of what is happening to the environment.

"There's a real special thing happening in Niger. When the farmers found themselves in a severe drought in the 1970s and again in the 1980s, there was crop failure and food shortages and extreme hardship," Tappan said. "They realized that they had to do something different because drought is part of the story of this land. So, they began to protect the trees that naturally regenerate their fields. This is not a story of an outside agency coming in and planting trees for them."

Trees help crop production

According to Tappan, trees increase soil fertility, which leads to higher crop production. In fact, trees are becoming a permanent secondary crop to help survive drought years. They can be harvested for fruit or sold for firewood.

"We're seeing these incredible behavior changes," said Tappan. "The farmers are very aware of the threat posed by the desert advancing on them and by the steep rise in population."

Although Tappan has talked to farmers about past conditions and how they reacted to them, he said that more research is necessary.

Far reaching benefits

"We have more work to do in the field to get down to the specific reasons why this is happening," Tappan said. "We see it, but the reasons are more theory at this point."

In addition, Tappan said that nailing down the specifics of what has happened in Niger may have far-reaching benefits.

"We're interested in how to replicate the spread of this positive transformation to other countries in West Africa, such as Mali, Burkina, and Senegal," said Tappan, whose team has given cabinet-level presentations to Niger's government.