“Faidherbia-Flux”, an open observatory for GHG balance and C stocks in a semi-arid agro-sylvo-pastoral system (Senegal)

Abstract

The ecosystem services provided by agro-silvo-pastoral systems are complex to assess or model, owing to high spatial and temporal heterogeneities. In 2018, we set up a new long-term observatory , open to collaboration, for the monitoring and modelling of ecosystem services, GHG, hydrology and deep SOC. in a semi-arid agro-silvo-pastoral system (Niakhar, Sénégal). The system is dominated by the multipurpose and reverse phenology tree Faidherbia albida (Fa). Crops are mainly millet and peanut (annual rotation). Transhumant livestock contributes to manure (see Dry Season picture below), SOM and soil fertility and is fed by the tree fodder pruned at that time. The positive effect of Faidherbia on crop yield is under scrutiny.