The first reporting period was used to lay the foundation for the integrated concept on environmental observation and the needed dialogue on different levels. Basic information were collected. The analysation of most has started or is about to finish soon.
Required feedback to identify the needs and gaps in terms of data, knowledge, capacities and research infrastructures in Africa in the field of food security and greenhouse gas observation, were gathered by conducting three regional stakeholder consultation workshops in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa. The most prominent issue raised was the accessibility, quantity and quality of data and metadata. Moreover the transfer of knowledge resulting from the data to different levels. It was confirmed that adaptation is more priority to mitigation in Africa and that the developed country approach for a research infrastructure network is not directly applicable in Africa.
Beside the identification of needs and gaps, the essential set of variables for GHG observation and food security in Africa and the adjacent oceans was determined in a participatory way. Notable in the African context especially anthropogenic influenced factors, such as land use change, economic development and (with the highest score) human population, were rated as very important variables for observation.
The current pattern of research infrastructures of environmental observation in Africa was assessed, using the same web-tool mentioned above. The results show that there are observation hotspots in Southern and Western Africa and that observational stations are distributed unequal underneath the different biomes. For a Case study on Cape Verde a dialogue format, in order to discuss societal needs and challenges against the background of a global climate change and how environmental research both at the international and the regional level can address these topics adequately, was searched. Finally a workshops with 25 participants mostly from Cape Verde and Western Africa, discussing the above mentioned topics was conducted in January 2018.
Beside the collection of information for the optimal design for an integrative observation system, stakeholders were identified and contacted to build a permanent stakeholder dialogue platform, in order to maximize the impact of the project achievements. Indeed, to ensure that the results of SEACRIFOG have the best chance to be translated into concrete policies and actions.
For the overall exchange underneath all partners monthly virtual meetings of all work package leaders and once a year (May 2017 and June2018) a face to face meeting of all project partners were organized. Moreover, scientific and public communication efforts were conducted, such as poster presentations during scientific conferences, the outreach of flyers, a webpage, twitter account etc.
