ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mapping Evapotranspiration of Agricultural Areas in Ghana

Climate change is having an adverse effect on the environment especially in sub-Sahara Africa, where capacity for natural resource management such as water is very low. 'e scope of the effect on land use types have to be estimated to inform proper remedy. A combined estimation of transpiration and evaporation from plants and soil is critical to determine annual water requirement for different land use. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a major component in the world hydrological cycle, and understanding its spatial dimensions is critical in evaluating the effects it has on regional land use. A measure of this component is challenging due to variation in rainfall and environmental changes. 'e mapping evapotranspiration with high resolution and internalized cali bration (METRIC) method is employed to create evapotranspiration map for land use, using remotely sensed data by satellite, processed, and analyzed in ArcGIS. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was related to the availability of water for vegetation on different land use, and the results indicate a high evapotranspiration for vegetated land use with high NDVI than land use with low NDVI.

Source: UG
Mapping Evapotranspiration of Agricultural Areas in Ghana

Climate change is having an adverse effect on the environment especially in sub-Sahara Africa, where capacity for natural resource management such as water is very low. 'e scope of the effect on land use types have to be estimated to inform proper remedy. A combined estimation of transpiration and evaporation from plants and soil is critical to determine annual water requirement for different land use. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a major component in the world hydrological cycle, and understanding its spatial dimensions is critical in evaluating the effects it has on regional land use. A measure of this component is challenging due to variation in rainfall and environmental changes. 'e mapping evapotranspiration with high resolution and internalized calibration (METRIC) method is employed to create evapotranspiration map for land use, using remotely sensed data by satellite, processed, and analyzed in ArcGIS. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was related to the availability of water for vegetation on different land use, and the results indicate a high evapotranspiration for vegetated land use with high NDVI than land use with low NDVI.

Source: UG
Mapping evapotranspiration variability over a complex oasis-desert ecosystem based on automated calibration of Landsat 7 ETM+ data in SEBAL

Fragmented ecosystems of the desiccated Aral Sea seek answers to the profound local hydrologically- and water-related problems. Particularly, in the Small Aral Sea Basin (SASB), these problems are associated with low precipitation, increased temperature, land use and evapotranspiration (ET) changes. Here, the utility of high-resolution satellite dataset is employed to model the growing season dynamic of near-surface fluxes controlled by the advective effects of desert and oasis ecosystems in the SASB. This study adapted and applied the sensible heat flux calibration mechanism of Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) to 16 clear-sky Landsat 7 ETM+ dataset, following a guided automatic pixels search from surface temperature Ts and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NDVI (Tshot=NDVI ; Tscold=NDVI ). Results were comprehensively validated with flux components and actual ET (ETa) outputs of Eddy Covariance (EC) and Meteorological Station (KZL) observations located in the desert and oasis, respectively. Compared with the original SEBAL, a noteworthy enhancement of flux estimations was achieved as follows: – desert ecosystem ETa ! R2 = 0.94; oasis ecosystem ETa ! R2 = 0.98 (P < 0.05). The improvement uncovered the exact land use contributions to ETa variability, with average estimates ranging from 1.24 mm d 1to 6.98 mm d 1. Additionally, instantaneous ET to NDVI (ETins-NDVI) ratio indicated that desert and oasis consumptive water use vary significantly with time of the season. This study indicates the possibility of continuous daily ET monitoring with considerable implications for improving water resources decision support over complex data-scarce drylands

Source: UG
Mapping fertilizer recommendations for cocoa Production in Ghana using soil siagnostic and GIS tools

The intensely weathered nature of soils used for cocoa production in Ghana, and the long history of nutrient depletion due to the absence of fertilization in this farming system have resulted in increased incidence of soil nutrient deficiencies in cocoa farms. The paper discusses the use of a soil diagnostic model combined with geographic information systems (GIS) to convert the current blanket fertilizer recommendations (0 N - 165 P2O5 -200 K2O kg ha-1) into a more effective recommendation that accounts for local land resources and the actual nutrient requirements of cocoa trees. A digital map of cocoa nutrient requirements was created based on climatic and soil groups/associations data. The results showed that about 95% of the areas suitable for cocoa production are developed on only seven soil groups and four sub-groups (FAO classification). As inputs, 201 soil chemical analytic data were linked to land units to compute cocoa fertilizer formulae and doses. The number of fertilizer formulae was reduced to 32 using a fuzzy classification. Six fertilizer formulae would be sufficient to cover fertilizer recommendations for 52% of the cocoa growing areas, while 16 fertilizer formulae will cover 90% of the cocoa area. The current blanket fertilizer formula is only suitable for 6% of the cocoa growing areas in Ghana. In western Ghana, where rainfall is over 1800 mm, the climatic influence is predominant and high leaching of soils is probably responsible for greater needs for P, than for K, Ca, and Mg. In eastern Ghana, where soils have high exchangeable cation levels and base saturation, soil diagnostic method suggested application of N fertilizers. This integrated method could provide precision agriculture techniques for cocoa farmers in Ghana, and beyond, in order to sustain yields on cocoa farms.

Source: UG
Mapping helminth co-infection and co-intensity: geostatistical prediction in Ghana

Background: Morbidity due to Schistosoma haematobium and hookworm infections is marked in those with intense coinfections by these parasites. The development of a spatial predictive decision-support tool is crucial for targeting the delivery of integrated mass drug administration (MDA) to those most in need. We investigated the co-distribution of S.haematobium and hookworm infection, plus the spatial overlap of infection intensity of both parasites, in Ghana. The aim was to produce maps to assist the planning and evaluation of national parasitic disease control programs. Methodology/Principal Findings: A national cross-sectional school-based parasitological survey was conducted in Ghana in 2008, using standardized sampling and parasitological methods. Bayesian geostatistical models were built, including a multinomial regression model for S. haematobium and hookworm mono- and co-infections and zero-inflated Poisson regression models for S. haematobium and hookworm infection intensity as measured by egg counts in urine and stool respectively. The resulting infection intensity maps were overlaid to determine the extent of geographical overlap of S.haematobium and hookworm infection intensity. In Ghana, prevalence of S. haematobium mono-infection was 14.4%, hookworm mono-infection was 3.2%, and S. haematobium and hookworm co-infection was 0.7%. Distance to water bodies was negatively associated with S. haematobium and hookworm co-infections, hookworm mono-infections and S. haematobium infection intensity. Land surface temperature was positively associated with hookworm mono-infections and S. haematobium infection intensity. While high-risk (prevalence .10–20%) of co-infection was predicted in an area around Lake Volta, co-intensity was predicted to be highest in foci within that area. Conclusions/Significance: Our approach, based on the combination of co-infection and co-intensity maps allows the identification of communities at increased risk of severe morbidity and environmental contamination and provides a platform to evaluate progress of control efforts.

Source: UG
Mapping lithological units, structural lineaments and alteration zones in the Southern Kibi-Winneba belt of Ghana using integrated geophysical and remote sensing datasets

Geophysical and remote sensing datasets were employed to delineate potential zones of gold mineralization within the southern Kibi-Winneba belt of Ghana. The study area, which is characterized by the Birimian metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks with prevalence of intrusive granitoids hosts several scientifically unguided operational activities by artisanal miners locally referred to as Galamsey. In this study, various enhancement techniques were employed on geophysical datasets encompassing magnetic, gravity and radiometric to delineate various lithological units, which corroborated with the Birimian formation and its related granitoid intrusives within the study area. The Center for Exploration Targeting grid analysis and Line Module Algorithm techniques were employed respectively on the magnetic and Sentinel 2A datasets to delineate various structural lineaments within the study area. Approximately 72% and 67% structural lineaments delineated respectively from the magnetic and Sentinel 2A datasets trended in the NE-SW and N-S direction, which control gold mineralization within the Birimian system. The prinicpal component analysis based on the Crosta technique was employed on the Sentinel 2A bands to highlight alteration zones within the study area. A potential map of gold mineralization zones within the study area was generated by integrating exploration layers comprising magnetic, gravity, structural density, radiometric and alteration zones delineated by Crosta technique. This mineral potential map categorized the belt into low, moderately low, moderately high and highly prospective regions with area coverage of 600.4 km2, 681.27 km2, 635.95 km2 and 295.20 km2 respectively. The mineralization potential map obtained was validated with available gold geochemical data and locations of artisanal mining operations (Galamsey), which corroborated with the highly potential mineralization zones of gold deposits delineated within the study area.

Source: UG
Mapping main, epistatic and sex-specific QTL for body composition in a chicken population divergently selected for low or high growth rate

Delineating the genetic basis of body composition is important to agriculture and medicine. In addition, the incorporation of gene-gene interactions in the statistical model provides further insight into the genetic factors that underlie body composition traits. We used Bayesian model selection to comprehensively map main, epistatic and sex-specific QTL in an F2 reciprocal intercross between two chicken lines divergently selected for high or low growth rate.

Source: UG
Mapping of community perspectives on land acquisition for biofuel investment in northern Ghana

We apply Q methodology, a model with a qualitative background, albeit with rigorous quantitative analysis, to map community perspectives (concerns, attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and perceptions) towards the acquisition of communal land for a biofuel project in northern Ghana. We extracted four community perspectives, in the order of importance as follows: (1) pro-biofuel project, but pessimistic (2) against the biofuel project (pro-environ mental) (3) strong against and (4) optimistic. Taken together, the perspectives suggest the local people believe the biofuel project has no potential to improve their livelihoods, meanwhile, there is a consensus that the project destroyed trees of economic importance and provided poor working conditions for the local employees. We recommend (1) the establishment of enforceable economic and social contracts between the employees, local land users and the biofuel investors (2) direct monetary compensation for the affected communal land users (3) investigation of allegations of late or partial-payment of salaries of the biofuel project’s employees (4) future considerations for acquiring communal land should include broad community consultations and incorporate the local land users’ interests, concerns, and viewpoints and (5) the local bioenergy policy of the government of Ghana must include checks on communal land sale decisions, which directly or indirectly impact the welfare of the people.

Source: UG
Mapping of panda plumage color locus on the microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail

Abstract Background Panda (s) is an autosomal recessive mutation, which displays overall white plumage color with spots of wild-type plumage in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). In a previous study, the s locus was included in the same linkage group as serum albumin (Alb) and vitamin-D binding protein (GC) which are mapped on chicken (Gallus gallus) chromosome 4 (GGA4). In this study, we mapped the s locus on the microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail by linkage analysis. Results Segregation data on the s locus were obtained from three-generation families (n = 106). Two microsatellite markers derived from the Japanese quail chromosome 4 (CJA04) and three microsatellite markers derived from GGA4 were genotyped in the three-generation families. We mapped the s locus between GUJ0026 and ABR0544 on CJA04. By comparative mapping with chicken, this locus was mapped between 10.0 Mb and 14.5 Mb region on GGA4. In this region, the endothelin receptor B subtype 2 gene (EDNRB2), an avian-specific paralog of the mammalian endothelin receptor B gene (EDNRB), is located. Because EDNRB is responsible for aganglionic megacolon and spot coat color in mouse, rat and equine, EDNRB2 is suggested to be a candidate gene for the s locus. Conclusion The s locus and the five microsatellite markers were mapped on CJA04 of the Japanese quail. EDNRB2 was suggested to be a candidate gene for the s locus.

Source: UG
Mapping of plumage colour and blood protein loci on the microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail

The objective of this work was to map classical markers (plumage colours and blood proteins) on the microsatellite linkage map of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The segregation data on two plumage colours and three blood proteins were obtained from 25 three-generation families (193 F2 birds). Linkage analysis was carried out for these five classical markers and 80 microsatellite markers. A total of 15 linkage groups that included the five classical loci and 69 of the 80 microsatellite markers were constructed. Using the BLAST homology search against the chicken genome sequence, three quail linkage groups, QL8, QL10 and QL13, were suggested to be homologous to chicken chromosomes GGA9, GGA20 and GGA24, respectively. Two plumage colour loci, black at hatch (Bh) and yellow (Y), and the three blood protein loci, transferrin (Tf), haemoglobin (Hb-1) and prealbumin-1 (Pa-1), were assigned to CJA01, QL10, QL8, CJA14 and QL13, respectively. © 2005 International Society for Animal Genetics.

Source: UG
Mapping of potential fishing zones in support of fisheries management in West Africa

The distribution pattern of three tuna species viz. Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and Bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and key environmental factors were analyzed to develop potential fishing zone (PFZ) maps to support fisheries resource management in West Africa. The PFZ maps were developed from a Generalized Additive Model built from a binomial distribution with a probit link function. Inputs into the model were presence- absence data generated from tuna catch records from Ghana as well as sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface heights (SSH), geostrophic currents (UV) and salinity (SSS) datasets covering latitudes 10°S to 40°N and longitudes 35°W to 15°E in the period 2014-2015. Results from the analyses showed a non-linear response pattern with varying relationships among the environmental factors. The major fishing grounds identified from the outputs of the predictive model corresponded with regions where SST was between 21 and 28.5 °C, SSH above 0.05 m, geostrophic current speed above 0.25 m/s and SSS levels above 33.5 ppt. High tuna distribution was consistent with the major upwelling regions, suggesting that the dynamics of the upper ocean may account for the observed spatial pattern. Outputs from the model can provide a quick overview of the possible areas where tuna is likely to aggregate and the potential fishing grounds where monitoring and surveillance need to be intensified.

Source: UG
Mapping QTL for growth and shank traits in chickens divergently selected for high or low body weight

An F(2) population (695 individuals) was established from broiler chickens divergently selected for either high (HG) or low (LG) growth, and used to localize QTL for developmental changes in body weight (BW), shank length (SL9) and shank diameter (SD9) at 9 weeks. QTL mapping revealed three genome-wide QTL on chromosomes (GGA) 2, 4 and 26 and three suggestive QTL on GGA 1, 3 and 5. Most of the BW QTL individually explained 2-5% of the phenotypic variance. The BW QTL on GGA2 explained about 7% of BW from 3 to 7 weeks of age, while that on GGA4 explained 15% of BW from 5 to 9 weeks. The BW QTL on GGA2 and GGA4 could be associated with early and late growth respectively. The GGA4 QTL also had the largest effect on SL9 and SD9 and explained 7% and 10% of their phenotypic variances respectively. However, when SL9 and SD9 were corrected with BW9, a shank length percent QTL was identified on GGA2. We identified novel QTL and also confirmed previously identified loci in other chicken populations. As the foundation population was established from commercial broiler strains, it is possible that QTL identified in this study could still be segregating in commercial strains.

Source: UG
Mapping social policy development in sub-Saharan Africa

Over the years, a large body of literature about social policy development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has emerged. However, due to a concern for pressing humanitarian and development issues, most of the scholarship devoted to contemporary African social policy is not grounded in systematic theoretical models aimed at explaining policy differences between and within countries. Because a large body of literature has been published in recent decades to tackle this type of issue within the advanced industrial world, it is important to assess the relevance of existing theories of social policy development for policy analysis in SSA. This article makes a direct contribution to the comparative welfare literature because it draws attention to the limitations of existing theories for understanding social policy development in Africa, while highlighting their relevance for the analysis of the development and transformation of social programmes in the region's countries. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Source: UG
Mapping the distribution of maize streak virus genotypes across the forest and transition zones of Ghana

Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, maize streak virus strain A (MSV-A), the causal agent of maize streak disease (MSD), is an important biological constraint on maize production. In November/December 2010, an MSD survey was carried out in the forest and transition zones of Ghana in order to obtain MSV-A virulence sources for the development of MSD-resistant maize genotypes with agronomic properties suitable for these regions. In 79 well-distributed maize fields, the mean MSD incidence was 18.544 % and the symptom severity score was 2.956 (1 = no symptoms and 5 = extremely severe). We detected no correlation between these two variables. Phylogenetic analysis of cloned MSV-A isolates that were fully sequenced from samples collected in 51 of these fields, together with those sampled from various other parts of Africa, indicated that all of the Ghanaian isolates occurred within a broader cluster of West African isolates, all belonging to the highly virulent MSV-A1 subtype. Besides being the first report of a systematic MSV survey in Ghana, this study is the first to characterize the full-genome sequences of Ghanaian MSV isolates. The 51 genome sequences determined here will additionally be a valuable resource for the rational selection of representative MSV-A variant panels for MSD resistance screening. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Wien.

Source: UG
Mapping the Invisible and Real African Economy: Urban E-Waste Circuitry

E-waste is a more than $7 billion industry. Trans-border shipments of e-waste occur in international circuits, typically originating in the United States and Europe, but now also from China, and connect to accumulation sites in particular networked cities in Africa and elsewhere. Debates about the material and environmental weight associated with uncontrolled dumping are now emerging in Africa. We diverge from those debates by concentrating on the economic footprint of e-waste in a Ghanaian context by studying the largest and most prominent e-waste market—Agbogbloshie. This Accra site has achieved notoriety in the global media and among nongovernmental organizations (NGOS), but has received little research and policy attention. In an attempt to remedy this deficiency, a preliminary mapping of e-waste flows of second-hand computers into Ghana is presented. We then map the spatial organization of the e-waste hub and assess meshworks of e-waste activities, elucidating worlds of informal work. This research involved site reconnaissance, 80 questionnaires, and 40 interviews with key stakeholders. Our key finding is that e-waste activities connect Agbogbloshie directly and indirectly to various international circuits, and, most important, thereby articulates a market within a wider urban space-economy. The emphasis is on the intersections of various e-waste conduits as well as shared space within urban informal-formal circuitry

Source: UG
Mapping the spatial distribution of small reservoirs in the White Volta Sub-basin of Ghana

Small reservoirs provide vital ecosystem services in the semi-arid part of Ghana. Their main role is the provisioning of water for irrigation in this water-scare part of the country. They also serve as source of water for fishing, recreation, drinking, and other domestic uses and play crucial roles in evaporation, water productivity, water scarcity mitigation and climate modulation in this area. As such, their accessibility by the populace is vital to their wellbeing. Also, their locations, surface area and capacity (volume) are required for water resources assessments and hydrological modelling. This work was done to map the distribution of the small reservoirs in the White Volta sub-basin in Ghana. The work assessed the accessibility of artificially built small reservoirs in the relevant communities using satellite images and ground information. The study used six Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager images covering the study area. Histogram thresholding technique was used to delineate the waterbodies from their adjacent uplands. Accuracy assessments were done through field observed data and Google Earth images. The method used produced a positional accuracy of 94%. The study estimated that there are approximately 254 small reservoirs of surface areas between 1 and 53 hectares in the sub-basin. The combined surface area and volume of the small reservoirs were estimated to be 1585.265 hectares and 21.154x106 cubic meters respectively. The study estimated only 35% of communities within the sub-basin have access to small reservoirs. The study concluded that cluster of communities and population density are the general determinants of the distribution of small reservoirs in the sub-basin. However, rainfall distribution and suitability of soil for large-scale crop production may also be some important factors dictating the distribution of small reservoirs in the White Volta sub-basin in Ghana.

Source: UG