WASCAL Scholar Collection:

Rice husk briquette as a sustainable energy solution and climate change mitigation strategy in Nigeria

2026-06-18T15:34:47Z

Title: Rice husk briquette as a sustainable energy solution and climate change mitigation strategy in Nigeria Authors: Yunusa, Usman Abstract: The findings show that fuel briquettes with optimum quality for domestic use (Figure 2) can be produced under low pressure using the hydraulic piston press. Similarly, potato peel and African locust bean husk and pulp have shown good performance as binders in comparison to cassava starch. Hence, validating their use in fuel briquette production, especially when employing low-pressure machines. The briquettes developed have energy content between 13.54 to 18.74 MJ/kg (Figure 3), conforming with the European Norm (ENplus) limit of 16.56 MJ/kg and the ISO 17225-7 (2021) limit of 14.5 MJ/kg. The findings further prove that the briquettes have adequate energy densities and can be considered a cooking energy source (Muazu & Stegemann, 2017). Figure 3 shows the result of the environmental impact assessment. From the findings, producing and using rice husk briquette has more environmental benefits than charcoal. This implies a climate change mitigation potential of 33.3% and a land use impact reduction of 99.6% for briquette produced and used in place of charcoal. For example, 50% of the rice husk generated in Nigeria (i.e., around 1.2 million tonnes) can yield about 1.6 million tonnes of fuel briquettes. This quantity of briquette can sustainably serve a many households relying on charcoal and fuelwood in the country and can mitigate climate change by 261 million kg CO2 eq per year. The findings therefore prove that fuel briquette has the potential to mitigate climate change Description: A Policy brief submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Change and Land Use

The impact of deforestation on climate in Sahelian West Africa

2026-06-18T15:23:00Z

Title: The impact of deforestation on climate in Sahelian West Africa Authors: Seydou, Abdel N. Y.; Sy, Souleymane; Amekudzi, Leonard K.; Appiah-Adjei, Emmanuel K.; Ogunjobi, Kehinde O.; Traore, Bouba; Gyamfi, Charles; Kunstmann, Herald Abstract: The extent of land cover (vegetation) was assessed by comparing the preindustrial period to the present, using a fully coupled regional atmospheric model (WRF) and a land surface model (Noah-MP) with dynamic vegetation, applied at a 15 km horizontal resolution over Sahelian West Africa. Policy brief, January 2025; Warming and Drought Impacts in Sahelian West Africa 2 The impact of deforestation on mean and extreme climate indices (temperature and precipitation) was evaluated using the same models and approach. Additionally, a bias assessment was conducted to validate the model. This model is considered one of the most advanced tools currently available for climate change assessment. The extent of land cover change (LCC) exhibits significant spatial variability across the Sahelian West African region, as shown (Figure 1) by the fully coupled climate model (WRF) and land surface model (Noah-MP), with an average change of approximately 19%. These analyses capture the effects of land cover modifications on the region's surface characteristics. The most substantial changes were observed in the region's eastern part, where the LCC fraction reached up to 45%. This indicates considerable land cover Figure 2 highlights the regional changes in temperature and rainfall/precipitation (mean and extreme indices) in response to LCC from preindustrial times to the present (2022). For temperature (Figure 2a), the region experiences a warming effect of up to +2°C in maximum temperature and +1.5°C in the extreme indices (TNx) due to anthropogenic LCC. Similarly, rainfall has decreased by up to -0.5 mm/day, and the number of wet days (R1mm) has been reduced by up to -10 days/y in response to LCC (Figure 2b). The regional relative contribution of LCC has a greater negative impact on extreme temperatures and rainfall than on mean conditions (see Figure 3). Furthermore, extreme temperatures are affected more significantly than extreme rainfall. For example, LCC has significantly increased land surface temperature by up to +3.8%, as reflected in the rise in the number of tropical nights (TR, defined as days when the minimum daily temperature exceeds 20 °C). On the other hand, extreme rainfall is also negatively affected, contributing to an increase in consecutive dry days (CDD, defined as consecutive days with rainfall < 1 mm), while simultaneously increasing the frequency of very heavy rainfall days and the simple daily intensity index (SDII, defined as the average rainfall on wet days with rainfall ≥ 1 mm. Description: A Policy brief submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Change and Land Use

Saloum Delta Woody tree Cover enhancement: A Pathway for emission reductions

2026-06-18T15:13:52Z

Title: Saloum Delta Woody tree Cover enhancement: A Pathway for emission reductions Authors: Badjie, Ousmane; Thiel, Michael; Hackman, Kwame Oppong; Osei, Edward Matthew; Antwi-Agyei, Phillip Abstract: The Fig.3 shows the dynamics of the different woody tree cover in the Saloum Delta. The results show a significant increase in Mangrove and Plantation coverage. In Mangroves, the coverage increased from 548.29 Km2 in 2002 to 628.43 Km2 in 2022. Mangroves in the study area and in the specific period of our study has shown an increase, mainly toward the northern part of the locality. Over time, the quality and coverage of the mangroves ecosystem within the Saloum Delta have shown improvement, owing in part to initiatives like mangrove protection measures and development projects (Dieye et al. 2013). Studies have shown that between 1988 and 2018, mangrove forest areas experienced a notable overall increase of 51.21% across The Gambia, Saloum, and lower regions (Kauffman and Bhomia 2017). Plantation increased from16.24 Km2 to 62.61 Km2. High plantation densities, yields, and the socioeconomic aspects of cashew cultivation are also been reported (Oumar et al. 2018). The Saloum Delta is experiencing regreening due to Cashew cultivation initiated by the Senegal-German cashew project (PASA) in 1979 (Coly 2016). The Fig.4 is showing the level of connectivity of the vegetation formation from low connectivity(blue) to high (yellow). In PF, Mangrove showed more cohesive landscapes in northern side which progress Eastward over time. This ecosystem is well-suited to the low-oxygen conditions found in waterlogged mud and tends to flourish in the upper portion of the intertidal region. This specialized adaptation allows mangroves to form dense, cohesive stands in coastal areas. While mangrove overgrowth can result in a more uniform landscape structure, it also promotes the development of cohesive patches (Shih et al. 2019). In OPF, some high connectivity of mangrove patches is also observed and need more attention. Pattern of plantation is characterized by increase number of small patches progressing Eastward. The development of plantation contributes significantly to regreening of the area and by consequent to land restoration if cultivated trees don’t have any impact in the health of the soil and the ecosystem in general. In contrast Close Woodland showed a slight increase while there is fluctuating trend of Open Woodland. adjacent savannah areas typically exhibit lower levels of woody vegetation coverage on average. The depletion and looming disappearance of woodlands and pastures between villages in Senegal's groundnut basins underscore the challenges confronting these ecosystems as a result of human activities (Badji et al. 2014). Description: A Policy brief submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Change and Land Use

Impact of Land Use Land Cover Change on Carbon Stocks and Forest Products-Related Livelihoods in the Central in the Central and Upper River Regions in The Gambia

2026-06-18T15:02:33Z

Title: Impact of Land Use Land Cover Change on Carbon Stocks and Forest Products-Related Livelihoods in the Central in the Central and Upper River Regions in The Gambia Authors: Drammeh, Baba Abstract: The Central and Upper River Regions (CRR and URR) of The Gambia have undergone major land use and land cover (LULC) transformations between 2002 and 2024, with projections to 2034 showing continued pressure on forested landscapes. These changes are driven largely by agricultural expansion, fuelwood extraction, and settlement growth. Using remote sensing (TerrSet CA–Markov) and the InVEST Carbon Storage and Sequestration Model, this study quantified the impacts of LULC change on carbon stocks and forest-based livelihoods. Results show significant declines in forest and woodland cover, leading to reduced carbon storage and weakened ecosystem-based livelihoods. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated land management and reforestation strategies to safeguard The Gambia’s carbon reserves and improve rural income stability. Description: A Policy submitted to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Change and Land Use