JAFE Vol.  10(1): 21-27, 2023

Mapping the Distribution and Pestiferous Activities of Quelea Birds in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, Using GPS and GIS

Amodu, U.S., Ukar, I.A., Agbu, A.U., Obasi, D.C. and Uchua, K.A.

The red-billed Quelea is the most important avian pest of small grain crops in the semi-arid regions of Africa, with rice being one of the most affected crops. The invasion of some farms by Quelea birds, especially in states like Bayelsa which are predominantly rice producers, has been turned out to be one of the factors responsible for food shortages.  Several research efforts have been made to study the behaviour, distribution and activities of crop pests in relation to the extent of damage to agricultural produce, caused by these organisms. Space technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies have been identified as useful tools in crop pest and disease survey. This study was conducted to evaluate the distribution and pestiferous activities of Quelea bird is Bayelsa state, Nigeria, using a space-based approach. A field survey was conducted and the Latitude (X) and longitude(Y) Coordinates of identified breeding sites of Quelea birds were taken using a hand-held GPS device. The data obtained were digitized using a GIS application tool and used to produce maps showing the spatial distribution of the colonies of the birds across the study area. A total of 13 breeding sites were identified in this study, cutting across Yenagoa, Ogbia, Kolokuma, and Nembe Local Government Areas.  Ogbia LGA was observed to have the highest number of breeding sites of the Quelea birds implying that cereal farms in the area were more susceptible to severe damage from Quelea attacks. In this research, space-based technologies have proven to be useful in Quelea bird studies. 

Keywords:

GPS, GIS, Colonies, Breeding site, Space Technology

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