Tropical forest ecologist Dr. Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo has called for enhanced phenological data collection to refine crop calendars and help Ghanaian farmers adapt to climate disruptions.
Speaking at an Ecological Forecasting Research Dissemination Workshop, the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) scholar emphasized that tracking plant life cycles such as flowering and fruiting is critical for predicting agricultural outcomes amid environmental shifts.
Dr. Ofosu-Bamfo’s team documented seasonal changes in 1,700 plants across 186 species through fieldwork, community interviews, and supplementary data. This research enables accurate forecasts of resource availability, directly addressing Ghana’s struggle with climate-induced crop failures. “Integrating phenology with climate data reduces agricultural losses by aligning planting with ecological realities,” he stated. The ecologist advocated for long-term partnerships with institutions like UENR to sustain monitoring systems, noting that inconsistent tracking undermines timely interventions.
Professor Raul Zurita-Milla of the University of Twente highlighted the need for inclusive data dissemination. “Understanding shifting vegetation patterns which transcend borders is vital for regional resilience,” he urged, advocating combined approaches using biological fieldwork, remote sensing, and climate modeling. He warned that climate-driven tree mortality and species displacement demand urgent policy action.
The workshop findings align with the Mahama administration’s climate adaptation priorities under Ghana’s IMF-backed recovery program. As erratic rainfall and temperatures threaten food security, real-time ecological data could prove pivotal for the agricultural sector, which employs 60% of the workforce.
