Fibremass (lint mass) of conventional upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) was significantly higher after outcross pollination than after selfing. Hence, outcross pollination (e.g.transfer of pollen from flowers of one individual to another individual of the same species by bees) enhances fruit quality and hence the income of the smallholders.

Air temperature (Celsius) and air relative humidity (%) were measured on 28 savanna plots in Burkina Faso. Plots are distributed in three areas: the municipality of Dano, the regional reserve of Bontioli, and the national reserve of Nazinga. Measurements were made with HOBO Onset U23-001 Pro V2 data loggers placed inside protective cages 1 meter above ground. In every experimental plots, loggers were positioned under tree shade and the cages featuring a reflective roof provided additional protection against direct sun light. Measurements were made every 15 minutes from November 2014 to November 2017. Data was collected monthly with the help of a data transfer device (shuttle HOBO U-DTW-1).

To investigate the breeding system of plant species, Amos Dafni provided different pollination treatments. Using these one can disentangle if a species is self-compatible or depending on outcross-pollination. Furthermore, one can get initial sights of inbreeding depression and if a plant species is pollen or resource limited. Emasculation means cutting the anthers (carrying the pollen grains). Bagging is to be done by mesh nets or perforated pollen proof pollination bags. Hand-pollination can be carried out by using paint brushes or tooth picks.

This vegetation data comes from surveys conducted in November 2015 on savanna plots in Burkina Faso. Plots are distributed in three areas: the municipality of Dano, the regional reserve of Bontioli, and the national reserve of Nazinga. A total of 28 plots were surveyed.

Taxonomic list of Hymenoptera visitor species to the flowers of conventional upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Malvaceae) and sesame (Sesamum indicum, Pedaliaceae), their number of visits and their efficiency in terms of fruit set. Crosses indicate the initiation of fruit set, dashes no successful pollination. Flower visitors were recorded on 300 flowers per crop species, at three sites in the south of Burkina Faso, West-Africa during the flowering season in summer 2015. Scoliidae are scoliid wasps; Apidae are long-tongued bees including honeybees, small and large carpenter bees and stingless bees; Halictidae are sweat bees and Megachilidae mason bees.

Raw field data from the WASCAL core research sites Dano, Bontioli, Nazinga, and Bolgatanga on dendrometric parameters of the woody vegetation within sampling plots, and observed basic ecological parameters of the sampling sites located in different savanna formations.

Field data from the WASCAL core research sites Dano, Bontioli, Nazinga, and Bolgatanga on dendrometric parameters of the woody vegetation within sampling plots, and observed basic ecological parameters of the sampling sites located in different savanna formations.

Raw field data from the WASCAL core research sites Dano, Bontioli, Nazinga, and Bolgatanga on vegetation composition, dendrometric parameters of the woody vegetation within the sampling plots, and observed basic ecological parameters of the sampling sites located in different savanna formations.

Total abundance of bee species in savannas of low (Nazinga area), medium (Bontioli area) and high (Dano area) disturbance intensity in the south of Burkina Faso. Data were collected with pan traps for a period of 21 months in 2014 and 2015 covering dry and rainy seasons of both years. Bees were sampled at 12 savanna sites and 11 nearby cotton fields and 11 sesame fields of ca. 1ha each. Bee sampling in the crop fields was carried out only during the rainy seasons from June to September (cotton: 2014 and 2015; sesame: 2015) when crops were in bloom.

The database contains point data from several sites within the study area, comprising a steep south-north gradient of climatic aridity reaching from northern Ghana to central Burkina Faso between 9.0°N and 13.5°N latitude and 0.1°W and 2.0°W longitude. It is located in the southern and northern Sudanian zone of West Africa’s savanna belt, capturing a precipitation range of 600 mm to 1200 mm corresponding to UNEP aridity indices of 0.31 (semi-arid) to 0.69 (humid). Data collection took place at 44 sites during the rainy seasons in 2012 (June-September) and 2013 (July-October) and the end of the rainy season 2014 (October). Our sampling design intended to cover diverse vegetation types and a wide range of land-use intensities (including protected and degraded areas). We stratified sampling at sites by topographic position (upslope, footslope and lowland). At each slope position per site, 3-5 plots (10x10 m) were placed, containing three random circular subplots. The point data collected at each (sub)plot contains modelled data on forage quality (metabolisable energy) and quantity (green & total biomass) from spectrometric measurements, vegetation relevées (i.e. species data, vegetation clusters, phenology, photosynthetic pathway, height, cover, life span...), interview data on livestock keeping, grazing pressure and soil attributes (N, C, P, soil depth, soil structure...). Based on climate data, aridity indices were calculated. Based on fire occurrences detected by satellite images, fire frequency around sites was calculated. Based on soil moisture values detected by (radar) satellite images, soil moisture was extracted and modelled for the time of data collection. Further information: Ferner, J., Linstädter, A., Südekum, K. H., & Schmidtlein, S. (2015). Spectral indicators of forage quality in West Africa’s tropical savannas. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 41, 99-106.