• AfriCRS-S1-P02 Seasonal Climate Forecast and Early Warnings
  

  The seasonal climate forecast product projects the climate conditions for the next season and/or months, based on monthly precipitation and temperatures. From this data the seasonal forecast is derived that gives an indication that conditions will be lower than normal, normal or above normal. The layers provided by this product are also used for the drought seasonal forecast and the crop yield forecast products of AfriCultuReS.

• AfriCRS-S1-P03 Decadal Climate Predictions
  

  The decadal climate prediction product provides a climate forecast of the temperature (two meters above ground) and precipitation for the next year and for the five-year periods. The forecast is based on a multi-model ensemble of eight decadal prediction systems available via the World Meteorological Organization Lead Centre for Annual-to-Decadal Climate Prediction (WMOLC-ADCP). The forecast is presented as anomalies from the 1981-2010 climatology reference period together with a skill score (anomaly correlation).

• AfriCRS-S1-P04 Climate Projections
  

  The climate projection product provides regional climate projections in Africa under three scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways: RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) for three future periods (2021-2040, 2041-2060, 2061-2100) and for three global warming levels (+1.5º, +2º, +3º). The service is based on a multi-model ensemble of Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) simulations at about 50km resolution. All climate projection products are compared to different baseline periods (1986-2005, 1995-2014 and 1981-2010), resulting in an assessment of future anomalies from these baseline periods. The significance and robustness of the projected future anomalies are also provided. Projected future anomalies of annual mean temperature and precipitation for the three future periods are provided through the AfriCultuReS platform as static layers (spatial maps).

The AfriCultuReS Climate Portal

Full access to the AfriCultuReS climate service is provided by a dedicated AfriCultuReS Climate Portal. The Climate Portal allows creation of customised products with climate projections for a number of meteorological variables and indices in Africa. The customisation includes temporal (any season or month) and spatial (any country or polygon) sub-setting. The results can be visualised and downloaded in the form of customised spatial maps and time series.

• AfriCRS-S2-P01 Crop Type Mapping
  

  The objective of high resolution crop type mapping is to provide an accurate and up-to-date overview of which crops are grown where, either by integrating biophysical variables in the classification or combining multiple data sources. Crop type masks are used to determine crop acreage, which is needed for production forecasts and other applications. The map is based on time series of Sentinel-2 images. AfriCultuReS focuses on the following crops: barley, beans, cassava, maize, rice, sorghum, sugarcane and wheat. The system can also be adapted to other, locally relevant, crops.

• AfriCRS-S2-P02 Crop Condition Monitoring
  

  The crop condition products provide information about the status of vegetation and crops. Crop condition is assessed either directly through the use of vegetation indices such as NDVI and LAI or by using indicators like Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and NDVI anomaly (NDVIA). which compare the current NDVI value to the range of values observed in the same period in previous years.

• AfriCRS-S2-P03 Crop Yield Forecast
  

  The crop yield forecast product provides information on expected yield for major crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, potato, cassava, millet, rice, sugarcane and also for grassland. The service provides evaluated, skilful, traceable and independent forecasts for a range of key crops, from as early in the season as possible to the harvest stage. GLAM and/or other (statistical) models are used for crop yield simulation, depending on which gives the best results.

• AfriCRS-S2-P04 Crop Calendar Assessment and Monitoring
  

  Crop calendar assessment and monitoring objective assesses the crop growing conditions and detects any change in the calendar associated with main crops due to changing agro-climatic conditions. The product is provided once a year and contains information on the phenological cycle in terms of SOS (Start of Season), EOS (End of Season), DOYG (Day of Maximum Growth), DOYS (Day of Maximum Senescence and DOYM (Day of Maximum NDVI).

• AfriCRS-S2-P05 Crop Phenology Monitoring
  Crop phenology monitoring services assesses crop growth behaviour by comparing the actual vegetation index (NDVI or LAI) with the expected behaviour based on the crop calendar product (see above) and reference phenology for crops in the area of interest or crop phenology parameters of previous years, determining spatio-temporal variability in cropping fields.
• AfriCRS-S2-P06 Crop Early Warning
  

  The crop early warning product provides information on crop status compared to what can be expected on a near real-time basis at continental, national or local level. The service makes use of weather and vegetation data from models and remote sensing observations and of well-established time series analysis methods. The system provides timely overviews of crop anomalies as input to more detailed agricultural monitoring or food security assessments.

• AfriCRS-S3-P01 Seasonal Drought Forecast
  The seasonal drought forecast product quantifies the frequency, length and intensity of expected droughts, with the aim to manage and reduce their impact. To this aim indices, such as the Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) and the Standardized Precipitation - Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) are obtained monthly, which can be used together with meteorological parameters, such as those provided by the AfriCultuReS climate seasonal forecast product and the crop yield forecast for informed decision making to identify the appropriate adaptation measures.
• AfriCRS-S3-P02 Drought Monitoring and Early Warning
  The drought monitoring and early warning assists the user to quickly identify the onset and evolution in time and space of droughts. The monitoring considers both meteorological and agricultural droughts and the impacts these have on crops. It makes use of several indices in order to capture the different aspects of drought, such as the Standardized Precipitation - Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), the (Standardised Water Cycle Index (SWCI) and the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI). To give an integrated picture of drought conditions, a Combined Drought Index (CDI) is provided, based on the indices mentioned above.
  
  

• AfriCRS-S4-P01 Land Use/Land Cover Change Monitoring
  

  Land use and land cover (LULC) monitoring is an important component in many applications, scientific studies and assessments, as it provides fundamental information for understanding the relationship between humans and natural systems. Accurate and updated LULC information is essential at different spatial scales. It helps monitoring agriculture and land development and supports decision making on issues regarding rural development, food security and environmental sustainability.

• AfriCRS-S4-P02 Land Degradation
  Monitoring of land degradation encompasses a wide variety of phenomena and processes, such as desertification, salinisation, erosion, compaction, and encroachment of invasive species, which can be caused by natural processes or by human activity (or a combination). In the AfriCultuReS context the land degradation mapping product provides soil erosion maps at coarse resolution which reflect the change in soil erosion rates between 2001 and 2012 in Africa.
• AfriCRS-S4-P03 Disaster Mapping and Monitoring (Floods)
  

  The disaster mapping and monitoring (floods) product detects areas affected by floods. Flood events are mainly caused by extreme weather phenomena, such as heavy rainfall or storms (natural cause) and can be aggravated by anthropogenic factors (spillage of dams, lack of drainage or erosion). Floods are among the most common disasters and natural hazards in the world, affecting human lives and causing severe economic damage. The assessment of the extent of flooding provides local authorities with valuable information for post-flood response and mitigation.

• AfriCRS-S4-P04 Disaster Mapping and Monitoring (Burned Areas)
  

  The burned areas mapping product uses multi-temporal remote sensing datasets that map areas affected by fires, that provide an accurate estimate of damages and supports disaster management. This service provides maps of burned areas at two spatial resolutions for regional or local analysis: medium (= 300m, based on PROBA imagery) and high (= 20m, based on Sentinel-2 imagery). The service also helps to determine annual trends in the burning of vegetation.

• AfriCRS-S5-P01 Grazing and Rangeland Mapping
  

  Changes in land-use activities impact on the availability of grazing and browsing resources. Identification of these grazing and browsing resources is important for policy and decision making and proper management of rangelands to ensure their sustainability, also taking into account climate change and anthropogenic pressures. The grazing and rangeland mapping product provides spatially explicit information on the distribution and characteristics of rangelands over time.

• AfriCRS-S5-P02 Grazing and Rangeland Condition Monitoring
  Vegetation cover in rangelands is essential for carbon sequestration, provides grazing material for livestock and determines for a large part wildlife habitats. Monthly and seasonal changes in vegetation cover and condition have an impact on livestock productivity and the livelihoods of pastoralists. The AfriCultuReS grazing and rangeland condition monitoring product provides adequate and objective information about the current status and productivity of rangelands, indicating potential risks, such as those related to drought and land degradation. This information is also useful for land managers and policy and decision makers.

• AfriCRS-S6-P01 Water Bodies Mapping
  The water bodies (WB) mapping service concerns the detection of the areas covered by inland water (WB delineation). The area covered by WBs is identified as an Essential Climate Variable (ECV) by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). The mapping of WBs over certain periods of interest (e.g. over a year) provides the maximum and the minimum extent of the water surface, as well as the seasonal dynamics. The assessment of the extent and seasonal occurrence of WBs supports the monitoring and prediction of freshwater availability to populations and livestock, the provision of advice for sustainable water use, such as irrigation, and is an essential component of agricultural knowledge and information systems.
• AfriCRS-S6-P02 Water Quality Monitoring
  This water quality monitoring product derives features related to water quality from reflectance and absorbance characteristics. The product is based on the federated Copernicus Lake Water Quality products (lake water quality at coarse, medium and high spatial resolution) which provide a 10-day observation record for a large number of medium and large-sized lakes.
• AfriCRS-S6-P03 Soil Moisture Assessment
  The soil moisture assessment product provides information about moisture conditions at different soil depths for Africa. This information is based on the 10-days Soil Water Index (SWI) of the Copernicus Global Land Service, which quantifies the moisture condition at various time intervals and soil depths. The soil moisture, up to 5cm soil depth, is recognized as an Essential Climate Variable (ECV) by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS).
• AfriCRS-S6-P04 Water Consumption Monitoring
  The water consumption monitoring product provides estimates of actual evapotranspiration (ETa). Evapotranspiration is a significant process that drives the energy and water exchange between the atmosphere and the land surface and is defined as the sum of evaporation and crop transpiration. Quantitative information on ETa is important, as it is related to plant growth, depletion of water resources, and energy and gas fluxes. At large spatial scales ET estimates are crucial to understand land and atmosphere interactions. The product also contains an ETa anomaly layer.
  
  

• AfriCRS-S7-P01 Weather Forecast
  

  The weather forecast product provides information about key meteorological parameters for the next seven days, over the entire African continent. The parameters include air temperature and relative humidity at two meters above ground surface, precipitation and reference evapotranspiration. They are available in three-hourly and daily intervals. The weather forecast product uses the National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS).

• AfriCRS-S7-P02 Weather Extremes Early Warning
  

  The weather extremes early warning product provides daily information about the probability of extreme temperatures (at two meters above ground surface) and precipitation for the next seven days, over the entire African continent. The Weather Extremes Early Warning service uses the National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS).