Inventory and Monitoring of Sahelian Pastoral Ecosystems Annex 1: Introduction to Sahelian Pastoral Ecosystems Project - GEMS Sahel Series No. 1

This technical report introduces the Pilot Project for the Inventory and Monitoring of Sahelian Pastoral Ecosystems, the first in UNEP’s GEMS Sahel Series. Conducted in the Ferlo region of northern Senegal, the project aimed to demonstrate and evaluate ecological monitoring methodologies across arid rangelands. It outlines the project’s objectives, test zone characteristics, and the ecological challenges posed by overgrazing, water access, and settlement shifts. The document provides an overview of the project's multidisciplinary approach, including remote sensing, fieldwork, and aerial surveys, as well as institutional collaborations, training initiatives, and practical outputs. It also presents lessons for sustainable rangeland management and offers a foundational model for future monitoring initiatives in dryland regions.