The Sahel case study: human and physical caused food insecurity

Question 1

Where is the Sahel?

Answer 1

Extends from West Africa to East Africa across ten different nations

Question 2

What did a 2006 UNEP report state about the Sahel?

Answer 2

Feeding the Sahel is ‘mission impossible” without urgent investment

Question 3

What are the physical threats to food security in the Sahel? PRHIA

Answer 3

• Increased periodic drought: only specially adapted xerophytes can survive – irrigation needed and must be managed to prevent salinisation
• Changes in rainfall pattern: amount, type and time eg heavy rainfall doesn’t penetrate soil – storage of water during wet eriods in ‘planting pits’
• Exposure to high winds: high winds in winter remove moist air around plants/soil and increase evapotranspiration + soil erosion leaves behind sandy, infertile soil – vegetation barriers eg grass from barrier to wind and water erosion
• Infertile soils: little accumulation of organic matter in soil – ‘planting pits’ dug which collect water and filled w organic matter + nitrogen fixing trees
• Changes in the albedo of the surface: light-coloured rock reflects light heating atmosphere and meaning more water held in air so less clouds and less rainfall – regreening projects eg FAO Acacia Project

Question 4

Describe the FAO Acacia Project:

Answer 4

2004-2007 FAO partnership with Senegalese Forestry Service
Provided acacia seeds to Senegal and 5 other partnership countries
Tractors donated that were adapted to ploughing in dry conditions
Trees capture and restore nitrogen in soil
Gum has an international market in Europe and USA (dairy, soft drinks)