The effect of desert locust on cropland by using vegetation indices: A case study of Gursum District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Locust outbreaks worldwide frequently impact vast regions and millions of people. Effective mapping and monitoring of locust habitats, along with accurate outbreak prediction, are crucial for minimizing damage to crops and pasturelands. Gursum experienced its most severe desert locust infestation in 25 years during 2019 and 2020, resulting in food shortages. The present study was aimed to detect locust-related vegetation and cropland damage in Gursum District, Ethiopia, using vegetation indices and Sentinel-2A imagery. We analyzed vegetation phenology from two kebeles: Bilisuma (infested) and Oda Santana (non-infested). The NDVI mean values showed substantial differences in November 2019 between the affected and non-affected sites. Using data from 20 locust-affected and 20 non-affected cropland points, we found a strong correlation (r² > 0.90) in NDVI and Green Chlorophyll Index values. Over 38% of croplands in Gursum District were severely damaged according to NDVI changes in 2019, a finding of great significance. These maps served to identify potential locust habitats and monitor agricultural practices, underlining the importance of our research in understanding and mitigating the impact of locust infestations. The outcome was found to be extremely useful for crop damage assessment and loss estimation to minimize the disaster effects in the district.