Desert Locusts in East Africa – Finding Common Ground
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Olivia Linscomb
Presenter(s): Olivia Linscomb
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Schistocerca gregaria, a periodically swarming grasshopper found in the deserts and dry areas of Northern and Eastern Africa, has been an animal of concern for over a century. This species is known as the desert locust due to their frequent long-lasting swarms which devastate farmers’ crops and cause mass malnutrition in East Africa. In my poster, I aim to address the economic, psychological, and ecological impacts that come with these swarms, what steps can be taken to mitigate the effects, and how to prevent harm from these desert locust storms. This research is significant due to the lack of past research done regarding preventative measures; research has primarily focused on reactive rather than proactive procedures. My research will focus on highlighting the needs of important stakeholders in the community and finding the common ground upon which solutions can be founded.