RIVERS: Management of River Systems for the Future

Principal Investigator: John McPeak, Syracuse University

The RIVERS project was initiated to:

• Understand vegetative impact of climate change in riverine systems
• Estimate the costs/benefits of converting land to irrigated rice cultivation in riverine systems
• Document transhumance patterns in multiple communities using riverine resources

Project Abstract:

Riverine systems in arid and semi-arid lands serve as key resources that support livestock and crop production. For herders, rivers flowing through drylands are critical for producing dry season grazing reserves and essential sources of permanent water. For cultivators, the waters allow cultivation both though recessional cultivation of floodplains and irrigated cultivation using river water. Due to increased population pressure and changing rainfall patterns in the Senegal and Niger River basins, the agricultural economy based on these riverine systems has already come under the kinds of stresses that climate models predict may become more widespread in the future. This makes study of these systems a priority, as understanding what they have already experienced will be critical in understanding likely outcomes in other similar environments. The proposed project is designed to investigate three linked questions: what has been the impact of climate change on the vegetation of riverine systems to date; what are the benefits and costs of different methods of increasing food security though irrigated rice production noting the impact on livestock production; and what are the key points on transhumance corridors as identified by herders. We believe that, while the conversion of large areas of land to rice production is inevitable and if done correctly desirable, the costs imposed on livestock production systems and the conflict induced by conversion need to be managed. Ultimately the results of the RIVERS project will allow for the  design of management options based on the existing  conditions, including mechanisms that allow adaption to climate change.