This article gives a vivid account of findings of the study of broad issues relating to disaster management in Africa using space systems and related technologies. This write up would start by reviewing the generic ways space systems can be used in managing disasters. Thereafter, it would examine the current status of space disaster reduction in Africa, with particular attention on Nigeria.
Then it would also go ahead to look at some opportunities and challenges in African by unfolding some of the global efforts of space disaster management in the continent. The article would furthermore focus on Nigeria by carrying out some case studies on indigenous effort by NASRDA to use space to manage for checking desertification, floods and gully erosion.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SPACE SOLUTION TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2.1.
2.2 Disaster Management
2.3 Space Solutions to Disasters
2.4 Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System
2.5 Satellite Communications
2.6 Global Navigation Satellite System
2.7 Meteorological Satellites
3. CURRENT STATUS OF AFRICA IN SPACE DISASTER CONTROL
3.1.
3.2 GLOBAL INITIATIVES OPERATING IN AFRICA
3.2.1 UN-SPIDER
3.2.1.1 UN-SPIDER in Africa
3.2.2 International Charter on Space and Major Disaster
3.2.3 Africa Earth Observation Network
3.2.4 African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment
3.2.5 Famine Early Warning Systems Network
3.2.6 Global Monitoring for Food Security
3.2.7 Advanced Real Time Environmental Monitoring and Information System
3.3 Challenges of Space Disaster Control in Africa
3.3.1 Lack of Digital Maps
3.3.2 Non Utilization of Satellite Data
3.3.3 Unplanned Urban Development
3.4 Prospects of Space Solutions in Africa Disaster Management
3.4.1 African Partnership in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation
3.4.2 COSPAS SARSAT Mission Control Centres in Africa
3.4.3 Space Geodetic Techniques for Coastal Dynamics Monitoring
3.4.4 Remote Sensing Infrastructures in Africa
3.4.5 Satellite Communication Infrastructures in Africa
3.4.5.1 Nigerian Communication Satellite
3.4.6 Africa Reference Frame
4. CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA SPACE APPLICATION IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
4.1 Introduction
4.2 History of Disaster Management in Nigeria
4.3 Disaster Management in Nigeria via Satellite
4.4 Prevalent Hazards in Nigeria
4.5 Challenges of Disaster control
4.6 Prospects of Disaster Control
4.7 Recent Effort
4.8 Monitoring of Gully Erosion in South East Nigeria
4.9 Flood Disaster Risk Assessment of Katsina-Ala River Basin
4.10 Flood Vulnerability Assessment of Shiroro Dam
4.11 Desert Encroachment in North Eastern Nigeria
4.11.1 Climatic Effect of Desertification
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to provide a systematic investigation into the potential and application of space systems to enhance disaster management and risk reduction across the African continent, with a specific focus on the Nigerian experience. It aims to bridge the gap between space technology development and practical disaster mitigation strategies.
- Review of generic space system applications in disaster management.
- Examination of the current status of space-based disaster reduction initiatives in Africa.
- Identification of key challenges and opportunities in the adoption of space technologies for crisis response.
- Case studies on indigenous Nigerian efforts to manage desertification, flood risks, and gully erosion using satellite imagery.
- Assessment of infrastructure requirements for effective regional disaster management.
Excerpt from the Book
4.8 Monitoring of Gully Erosion in South East Nigeria
Gully erosion is an accelerated process whereby soil is displaced at a faster rate than it being replaced. Flood water is a major cause of erosion which is prevalent in South-Eastern Nigeria. The menace of gully erosion hampers the socio-economic life of the people living in the affected areas. In some cases human lives are lost to spreading gullies. Thus the knowledge of distribution of soil erosion in an area is important in planning land use and conservation measures.
The use of data from NigeriaSat-1 has created the opportunity to use remote sensing techniques to map and monitor the spread of gullies and also demonstrate the potentials of image data from NigeriaSat-1 in mapping and monitoring of gully erosion spread in South-Eastern Nigeria, with particular reference to Anambra State. The project generated some environmentally profitable data to help in modifying policies and decision-making processes relevant to land degradation. Thus the development of a methodology to access soil erosion is important in identifying affected and erosion prone areas. The project which focused on parts of South East Nigeria was implemented in collaboration with Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides an overview of the challenges natural disasters pose in Africa and introduces the potential role of space systems in improving disaster management cycles.
2. SPACE SOLUTION TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT: This chapter examines the core concepts of disaster management and details how technologies like Remote Sensing, GIS, Satellite Communications, GNSS, and Meteorological satellites can serve as tools for prevention, mitigation, and response.
3. CURRENT STATUS OF AFRICA IN SPACE DISASTER CONTROL: This chapter explores the global initiatives active in Africa, such as UN-SPIDER and the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, while highlighting regional challenges and the prospects of local infrastructure.
4. CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA SPACE APPLICATION IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT: This chapter provides a detailed examination of Nigeria's historical context, current hazards, and specific case studies regarding gully erosion, flooding, and desertification management using space technology.
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This final chapter summarizes the findings and advocates for increased synergy, infrastructure development, and resource pooling among African nations to ensure continental sustainability in disaster mitigation.
Keywords
Space Technology, Disaster Management, Africa, Nigeria, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System, GIS, Satellite Communication, GNSS, Disaster Mitigation, NigeriaSat-1, UN-SPIDER, Desertification, Gully Erosion, Flood Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The publication focuses on the systematic investigation of how space systems and technologies can be applied to effectively manage and mitigate natural disasters within the African continent.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The work covers disaster management cycles, remote sensing applications, satellite communications, infrastructure for disaster control, and specific environmental risks like desertification and erosion.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to demonstrate how space-based solutions can improve prevention, preparedness, and response strategies, using Nigeria as a case study for the rest of Africa.
Which scientific methodologies are highlighted?
The paper discusses remote sensing techniques, hydrological and GIS modelling, and the utilization of satellite constellations for mapping and environmental data analysis.
What does the main body address?
It addresses the global initiatives operational in Africa, the specific challenges to space technology adoption, the prospects for future improvement, and detailed case studies from Nigeria.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Space Technology, Disaster Management, Remote Sensing, GIS, GNSS, NigeriaSat-1, and environmental mitigation strategies.
How is the Nigerian Communication Satellite (Nigcomsat-1) relevant?
It represents an indigenous effort by Nigeria to provide satellite communication services specifically designed to meet the ICT and disaster management needs of the region.
What role does the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters play in Africa?
It provides a unified system for space data acquisition, helping African countries receive satellite information for disaster response through cooperation with international space agencies.
- Quote paper
- Christian Anuge (Author), 2016, Space Systems solutions for disaster management in Nigeria. The Nigerian experience, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/341876
