Table 5 Continuous variables derived from VHR imagery, with suggested open alternatives, and knowledge relating to their influence on adult vector habitat suitability (from literature and experts)
Continuous variables from VHR imagery | Alternative existing open product(s) | Larval habitat suitability—Sub-Saharan African cities | Larval habitat suitability—Dakar |
|---|---|---|---|
Distance to breeding sites (derived from larval habitat suitability) | n/a | In Africa, the dispersal range of Anopheles vectors of malaria from their breeding sites is generally less than 1 km and rarely exceeds 2–3 km. In peri-urban/urban areas, this range is shorter and will likely not exceed a few hundred meters when human hosts are available nearby for blood meals [8, 33, 64] | There is a high correlation between the spatial distribution of adults and larvae [34]. Adult vector abundance decreases sharply with increasing distance from breeding site [10, 36] |
Distance to human dwellings (proxy: distance to buildings) | Calculate distance to Open Buildings | An. arabiensis primarily feeds and rests indoors, but due to widespread use of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), the behaviour of this vector becomes more flexible, and it also tends to feed and rest outdoors [96] | The proximity of breeding sites to human dwellings greatly limits the spatial dispersion of vectors [28] |