Rainfall and ecosystem re-greening in Burkina Faso

Abstract

In the Sahel part of Burkina Faso, ecosystems have been exposed to drought and land degradation since the 1970 years. This contributes to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Regarding Sahel ecosystems future, two main point of view have opposed the scientists: the first one is pursuing of ecosystems degradation, while others think that despite the climate change, Sahel ecosystems are recovering. This study was conducted in Sahel to understand rainfall change and its implication on vegetation dynamic. To achieve this goal, we considered two contrasted zones: The first shows re-greening trend and the second a degradation trend. Rainfall data over three decades (1980 - 2010) and images of the regions were analyzed. We found that the first decade (1980-1990) was dried. However, the rainfall has been improved since the 1990 years with net improvement from 2002 (third decade) and especially in the re-greening zone, what contributed to the greening in the field which was increased in area. Contrary, in the same time, degraded zone, rainfall has dropped and bare soil was increased. In the Sahel, with the climate change, we can find some area that was improved because community arrived to adapt to the disturbance.