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Dr. Samuel Adu-Acheampong

Dr. Samuel Adu-Acheampong
Lecturer
sadu-acheampong@ug.edu.gh

 

Research interest*

I am an insect ecologist and a biodiversity conservationist with interest and expertise in invertebrate bioindicators, species distribution modelling, insect biodiversity, insect pests management. His areas of interests are using insects as indicators in studies on landscape ecology, impact of climate and or land-use change on biodiversity, predicting species distribution under various change scenarios and insect pest and vector management.

Specifically
  • Using insects as bioindicators in testing the health within forests, mining, and agro-ecosystems.
  • Impact of climate change on insect diversity and pest outbreaks in forests and agro-ecosystems.
  • Predicting insect distribution using niche and systems modelling.
  • Insect pest and vector management through transdisciplinary studies.
 

Current research/project(s)*

  1. Using insects as bioindicators in testing the health within forests, mining, and agro-ecosystems.

The diversity and abundance of insect groups especially Orthoptera, Hymenoptera and Odonata are used as a measure of changes in the environment. This study explore differences in diversity and abundance between different environments such as mining, agricultural fields, water bodies and wetlands closer to agricultural fields and rivers and ponds. The logic behind using insect focal group as a bioindicator is based on their biology because some prefer breeding in polluted areas while others prefer clean environment. The diversity in terms of species numbers and composition can be an indicator of pollution within a mining area, water body, and agriculture field etc. This study utilises skills in taxonomy, environmental science, and to some extent molecular studies.

   2. Impact of climate change on insect diversity and pest outbreaks in forests and agro-ecosystems

This study explores the impact of climate change on the diversity of insects and especially on the outbreak of pest. This study is being conducted through transdisciplinary studies. It involves the use of modern technology in species distribution modelling to find out and or predict conditions that are conducive for pest outbreaks and to also predict future pest outbreaks through possible change in climate. It also incorporates skills from other disciplines especially in the social sciences as well as indigenous knowledge in an inclusive and comprehensive study to diagnose reasons for some pest species outbreaks and management options available and recommend new management options in both forest and agroecosystems.

 

Past research projects*

Response of grasshoppers to the agricultural mosaics of the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot in South Africa for three (3) years funded by the European Union Scholarship, TRECCAFrica

 

Awards*

  1. National Research Foundation (NRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST), Southern African Systems Analysis Centre (SASAC Scholarship) in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, University of Western Cape, University of, and the University of Limpopo in 2017
  2. The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) PhD Sandwich Scholarship at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology. A scholarship by the Italian government in 2014
  3. NUFFIC Scholarship (short course) by the Dutch government in 2014
  4. TRECCA Scholarship to offer PhD at the Stellenbosch University by the European Union in 2012

 

Recent publications*

Refereed Journal Publications

1) Akesse-Ransford, G., Owusu, E. O., Kyerematen, R., & Adu-Acheampong, S. (2021). Arthropod diversity of cocoa farms under two management systems in the Eastern and Central regions of Ghana. Agroforestry Systems, 95(5), 791-803.

2) Wahab, I. A., Adu-Acheampong, S., & Addai, I.K. (2020). Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) Shows no Change in Predatory Arthropods Population after Mutagenesis in northern Ghana. Agricultural Science Digest. 40:159-162.

3) Afriyie, P., Adu-Acheampong, S., & Kwahene, I. (2019). Response of insect foragers to four soybean mutant lines cultivated in savanna agro-ecology of Ghana. Asian Journal of Agriculture, 3(02): 63-65.

4)  Kyerematen, R., Adu-Acheampong, S., Acquah-Lamptey, D., & Anderson, R. S. (2020). Using Orthoptera and Hymenoptera indicator groups as evidence of degradation in a mining concession (Tarkwa gold mine) in Ghana. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 40(1), 221-224.

5) Moshobane, M. C., Mukundamago, M., Adu-Acheampong, S., & Shackleton, R. (2019). Development of alien and invasive taxa lists for regulation of biological invasions in South Africa. Bothalia-African Biodiversity & Conservation, 49(1), 1-11.

6) Adu-Acheampong, S., & Samways, M. J. (2019). Traits and land transformation change the fortunes of grasshopper generalists vs. specialists in a biodiversity hotspot. Biosystems Diversity, 27: 26-32.

7) Nnoli, H., Kyerematen, R., Adu-Acheampong, S., & Hynes, J. (2019). Change in aquatic insect abundance: Evidence of climate and land-use change within the Pawmpawm River in Southern Ghana. Cogent Environmental Science, 5(1), 1594511.

8) Kyei-Mensah, C., Kyerematen, R., & Adu-Acheampong, S. (2019). Impact of Rainfall Variability on Crop Production within the Worobong Ecological Area of Fanteakwa District, Ghana. Advances in Agriculture, 2019.

9) Adu-Acheampong, S., & Samways, M. J. (2019). Feeding and mobility traits influence grasshopper vulnerability to agricultural production in the cape floristic region biodiversity hotspot. Neotropical Entomology, 48(6), 992-1000.

10) Kyerematen, R., Annang, T., & Adu-Acheampong, S. (2018). Influence of human activity on diversity and abundance of insect in the wetland environment. Bonorowo Wetlands. 8: 33-41.

11) Kyerematen, R., Kaiwa, F., Acquah-Lamptey, D., Adu-Acheampong, S., & Andersen, R.S. (2018). Butterfly Assemblages of Two Wetlands: Response of Biodiversity to Different Environmental Stressors in Sierra Leone. Open Journal of Ecology. 8:379-395.

12) Kyerematen, R., Adu-Acheampong, S., Acquah-Lamptey, D., Sigismund, R. A., Owusu, E. H., & Mantey, J. (2018) Butterfly diversity as indicator for environmental health within Tarkwa Gold Mine, Ghana. Environment and Natural Resources Research. 8:69-83.

13) Mukundamago, M., Adu-Acheampong, S., & Moshobane, C.M., (2017). Impact of Gaseous Smoke Treatment on Germination and Seedling Emergence of the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos Species. Asian Journal Plant Science Research. 7:50-59

14) Adu-Acheampong, S., Samways, M. J., Landmann, T., Kyerematen, R., Minkah, R., Mukundamago, M., & Moshobane, C. M. (2017). Endemic grasshopper species distribution in an agro-natural landscape of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. Ecological Engineering, 105, 133-140.
 

15) Adu-Acheampong, S., Bazelet, C. S., & Samways, M. J. (2016). Extent to which an agricultural mosaic supports endemic species-rich grasshopper assemblages in the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 227, 52-60.

16) Adu-Acheampong, S., Kyerematen, R., Dadzie, S., Appawu, M., Boakye, D., & Williams, J. (2014). Bio-efficacy, user perception and acceptability of pyrethroid based mosquito coils in controlling Anopheles gambiae sl, in some parts of Accra, Ghana. Medical Entomology and Zoology, 65(3), 139-145.

17) Adu-Acheampong, S., & Aikins, S.H.M., (2013). Comparative Field study of Fertilizer Application Methods. International Journal of Advanced Biological Research, 3:599-602.

Publications in International Newsletters and Magazines

18) Mukundamago, M., Adu-Acheampong, S., Moshobane, C.M., & Ramantshwane, D., (2018). Beyond the looks. Bear’s breeches (Acanthus polystachius), a potential invader. SAPIA News No. 47, Pp 4-5. Web access: http://www.arc.agric.za/ARC%20Newsletters/SAPIA%20News %20No%2047,%20January%202 018.pdf

 

Conference Proceedings – International

1) Adu-Acheampong, S., Bazelet, C.S., Samways, M.J. (2015). Complementarity of grasshopper in agro-natural landscape mosaics in the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot. Proceedings at 19th biennial congress of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, 12-17 July 2015, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.

2) Dadzie, S., Adu-Acheampong, S., Kyerematen, R.,Williams, J., Suzuki, T ., Ohta. N., Appawu, M,. Boakye, D. (2012) Bio-efficacy, User Perception and Acceptability of some selected Pyrethroid based Mosquito Coils in controlling An. gambiae s.l a malaria vector in some parts of the greater Accra region of Ghana. Proceedings from Asian-African Research Forum on Emerging and Reemerging Infections. Kobe Japan (Pp 82) O-14(P-56). Available http://www.med.kobeu. ac.jp/jgrid/shared/pdf/infections 2012.pdf

Conference Proceedings – Local

1) Awal, M.A., Lamptey, S., Adu-Acheampong, S. (2018). Influence of soil amendments and weed control regime on the agronomic traits and yield potential of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Proceedings of the 18th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Ghana Institute of Horticulturist (GhIH). 12th-13th October 2018, Accra.

2) Adu-Acheampong S, Kyerematen R, Dadzie S, Boakye DA, Appawu M. (2011). Investigation of some selected mosquito coils in controlling Anopheles mosquitoes in some parts of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Proceedings at 27th biennial conference by Ghana Science Association, 10th-15th July 2011, Kumasi, Ghana, 2011
 

Professional membership(s)

  • Orthopterist Society
  • South African Society of Entomology
  • Ghana Science Association
  • Entomological Society of Ghana
  • Ghana Institute of Horticulturists