Sustainable Grazing Management: A Workshop on Process-Based Models for Describing Vegetation Dynamics in Africa

05/08/2024
From July 15 to 19, 2024, in Rabat, Morocco, a group of about twenty researchers convened to discuss the application of process-based models for describing vegetation dynamics in Africa. The ModVege and CoSMo models, which have proven effective in France, were evaluated with regard to the African context to explore their potential and limitations. This workshop is part of the TSARA initiative - Transforming Food Systems and Agriculture through Research in Partnership with Africa - and included participants from Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa. The discussions contributed to setting the stage for planned activities next year aimed at establishing modeling efforts across various African regions.

Participants in the Vegetation Models Workshop in Rabat, Morocco © Cirad

To enhance sustainable grazing management and optimize agricultural practices while reinforcing biodiversity preservation, a workshop was held in Morocco to discuss the applicability and limitations of process-based models for describing vegetation dynamics in Africa. The focus was primarily on the ModVege and CoSMo models, as well as their combined use.

The "Vegetation Model," commonly known as ModVege, developed by the Ecosystem Grassland Research Unit (UREP) at INRAE, is a simulation model designed to describe vegetation growth processes considering its interactions with weather and management practices. CoSMo, or the "Community Simulation Model," allows for the assessment of relative plant species abundances. It is used to simulate the dynamics of ecological communities by accounting for interactions among different species and varying environmental conditions. The combined ModVege-CoSMo model could simultaneously evaluate changes in pasture productivity and plant biodiversity.

These models have been employed in France and have demonstrated their relevance in improving sustainable grazing management, optimizing agricultural practices, and preserving biodiversity. The objective of this workshop was to explore the possibilities and limitations of using these modelling approaches in the context of African pastures and then to address the challenges of adapting these models to the African context, such as the diversity of domestic and wild grazing animals, the presence of trees and annual species, and fire management. 

Researchers from institutions across three African countries shared their experiences and insights with INRAE and 热博体育 researchers:

  • For Morocco, participants included faculty and researchers from the (IAV), the (ENAM), and the (UMV), as well as researchers from the based in Tangier and Oujda.
  • For Senegal, attendees came from the (ISRA), the (CSE), and . The Senegalese was also represented by its Director General, Sékouna Diatta.
  • For South Africa, faculty and researchers from the and the participated in the workshop.

The workshop, aligned with the TSARA initiative - Transforming Food Systems and Agriculture through Research in Partnership with Africa - served as a precursor to planned work next year aimed at implementing modeling activities in various African territories.