The influence of meteorological variability on herbaceous biomass production in a Sahelian semiarid savanna ecosystem (Dahra, Ferlo, Senegal)
Diatta O., Tagesson T., Ndiaye O., Badji M., Taugourdeau S.. 2025. Grasses, 4 (4) : 8 p..
Savanna ecosystems of the Sahel are heavily affected by climate change, leading to drier subtropical regions. These ecosystems play a fundamental role in food security of the region, so that an improved understanding of how these ecosystems are affected by these weather events is thereby critical. Several studies have assessed the herbaceous production level, dynamics during the rainy season, and biotic and abiotic factors that could impact this production. Some authors argue that rain is the main factor positively influencing the biomass production in semi-arid areas where the rainfall ranges between 200 and 750 mm. This study aims to assess the contribution of some meteorological variables to biomass production in a Sahelian semiarid savannah. From 2008 to 2018, rainfall (mm), soil moisture (%), soil temperature (°C) at 5 cm depth, number of times there was no rain (NTNR), number of rainy days, and the herbaceous biomass were monitored. The contributions of meteorological variables to biomass production were calculated using the XGBoost regression model. The most influential meteorological parameters on herbaceous biomass production are soil temperature, amount, and distribution of rainfall.
Mots-clés : biomasse; changement climatique; savane; écosystème; conditions météorologiques; teneur en eau du sol; production de biomasse; température du sol; évaluation de l'impact; climat semi-aride; sénégal; sahel
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Article (b-revue à comité de lecture)
Agents Cirad, auteurs de cette publication :
- Taugourdeau Simon — Es / UMR SELMET
