Sahel Flashcards
What is the biggest threat here?
Desertification
What is the climate and terrain like?
6 billion hectares naturally hyperland desert
Extreme aridity
Powerful winds erode the rocks
Violent storms move the sand dunes
What vegetation is present?
Date palms
Which area is well vegetated?
The pastoral zone, north of Tanout
What are some features of the pastoral zone?
- natural greenbelt protecting farmers from the Sahara
- Many perennials grow and produce food
- Gazelles, desert partridges
- Enough dead wood for fires so no cutting
What does climate change do?
Makes it drier
Wind erodes the soil needed for veg.
Lighter more erratic rain
Perennials destruction - con contribution to soil fertility
What do humans do that has a negative impact?
Slashing and burning of natural forest/bush land for annual agriculture
After harvest the farmers cut millet stalks exposed to strong winds which blow away the top soil and uproot seeds
Why can’t revegetation be carried out?
Too difficult as the region is too large
Why is the region unique?
its the ecoclimate and biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara to the North and Sudanian Savanna to the South
Who are the main group of people there are what do they do?
Pastoralists/nomadic farmers
hunt animals
How do sand dunes form?
From eroded soil where trees have been cut down
