Sahel: What is countries, climate, flora, fauna and conflict

Sahel is a geographical and climatic region of Africa that extends from west to east, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. It is located just south of the Sahara desert and north of the tropical savannas, forming a kind of transition strip between these two zones. Therefore, it covers the areas of various countries.

What is the difference between Sahel and Sahara?

• The Sahara is the largest warm desert in the world, characterized by its extremely arid and low vegetation climate. Know here the biggest deserts in the world.
• The Sahel, on the other hand, is a semi -arid strip located south of the Sahara, which acts as a transition zone to the African savannas. In Sahel there are more seasonal rains and dispersed vegetation, which makes it more suitable for agriculture and grazing.

The countries that are part of the Sahel have no strict limits, since it is a more ecological and climatic region than political. However, the following countries are commonly considered part of the Sahel:

• Senegal
• Mauritania
• Mali
• Burkina Faso
• Niger
• Chad
• Sudan
• Eritrea

Some experts also include parts of the north of Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia and Gambia, since they share similar characteristics in terms of climate and social and environmental challenges.

These countries face common problems such as water scarcity, pressure on natural resources, accelerated population growth and political instability. Many of them are also exposed to armed conflicts and forced displacements, which aggravates the humanitarian situation in the region.

To better understand the extension and location of this area, it is enough to observe a map of the Sahel. In it you can see how this strip crosses the African continent from west to east, just south of the Sahara desert.

The Sahel presents a series of unique geographical characteristics that make it an especially fragile and vulnerable region to environmental changes. It extends along about 5,400 km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, with a width that varies between 400 and 600 km. This strip crosses Africa horizontally, functioning as a transition zone between the Sahara desert, to the north, and the most green savannas of sub -Saharan Africa, to the south.

Its landscape is dominated by vast semi -arid plains, with little vegetation, predominantly low bushes, drought -resistant herbs and some scattered trees such as acacia. One of the main geographical and environmental problems facing this region is desertification. Desertification in Sahel, and in any other region, occurs when soils lose their fertility and ability to retain water, which favors the expansion of the Sahara desert towards the south. Soil degradation is a direct consequence of the overexploitation of natural resources, such as excessive grazing, deforestation and intensive cultivation in fragile lands. Here you can know desertification: what is, causes and consequences.

With the passage of time, these practices, added to climate change, have reduced vegetation coverage and have eroded soils, causing a drop in agricultural production and greater food insecurity. Millions of people depend directly on these lands to live, so desertification and degradation of soils are not only environmental problems, but also social and economic.

Sahel’s climate is semi -arid type, which means that most of the year is warm and dry, with a brief rainy season. This rainy season usually lasts between one and three months, depending on the area, and is mainly concentrated between June and September. However, the rains are irregular, both in quantity and in distribution, which makes them difficult to predict and unreliable for agriculture.

In addition to drought, another common climatic phenomenon in this region are sand storms in the Sahel. These storms, also known as “haboobs”, occur when strong winds raise dust and sand of dry soil, creating dense clouds that can reduce visibility to a few meters and seriously affect people’s respiratory health. These storms can last from a few hours to several days and are increasingly frequent due to soil degradation and lack of vegetation that keeps them fixed. In this other post you can read more about sand storm: what is, how it is formed and consequences.

Drought resistant vegetation

The Sahel flora is mainly composed of drought resistant plants and the lack of nutrients. Among the most common species are thorny bushes, seasonal herbs and some scattered trees. These plants usually have very deep roots to look for groundwater or small and hard leaves that reduce moisture loss due to evaporation.

Trees

Some typical Sahel trees are:

• Acacia: very common in the region, it is a thorny tree that can survive with very little water.
• The Baobab: known for its thick trunk that stores water, is a symbol of resistance in arid climates. Here you will know more about the Baobabs: What are and characteristics.
• The karité tree: in addition to adapting well to the conditions of the Sahel, it produces a nut from which karité butter is extracted, widely used both locally and in the international cosmetic industry.

Pastures and shrubs

During the short rainy season, the Sahel is temporarily covered with herbs, pastures and low shrubs, which serve as food for cattle.

Heat adapted mammals

Among the most common Sahel mammals are species capable of supporting high temperatures and long periods without water. Some examples are:

• The dromedary: the dromedary also known as Arab camel, is a key animal for nomadic populations, since it adapts perfectly to dry climates, can travel long distances without water and transport heavy loads.
• The gazelles: are light and fast antelopes that inhabit open areas.
• The jackal: an opportunistic carnivore that adapts to different conditions and feeds on both small and carrion dams.

Migratory and resident birds

Sahel is also an important area for many migratory birds, especially during the European winter. These birds use Sahel as a rest and food zone. Among them stand out:

• The white stork
• The Black Milano
• The European Abejaruco

In addition, local birds such as ostrich or Francolin have adapted to living in dry and open land, feeding on seeds, insects and small reptiles.

Reptiles

Among Sahel animals, they are common species such as:

• The desert Varean
• Various snake species, some poisonous.

Insects

As for insects, they are abundant during the rainy season. Stand out:

• Beetles and termites, which play an essential ecological role decomposing organic matter. Know here the differences between ants and termites.
• Desert lobsters, which can form destructive swarms and razing crops, aggravating food insecurity in the region.

The conflict in the Sahel region is one of the most complex and worrying of today’s world. Many of the Sahel countries are among the poorest countries in the world. The lack of employment, education and basic services feeds frustration and leaves millions of young people without a clear future.

In this area different ethnic and religious groups coexist. Historical tensions, together with state abandonment, have caused clashes between communities, especially among nomadic shepherds and farmers competing for the limited natural resources.

For more than a decade, extremist groups such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI), the Islamic State of the Great Sahara (EIGS) and Boko Haram have taken advantage of the void of power in remote areas of the Sahel to expand. These groups sow fear, attack civilians, recruit young people and destabilize governments.

On the other hand, desertification, soil degradation, and water scarcity have aggravated conflicts over the use of land. The reduction of the Sahel vegetation and the loss of grazing areas have intensified disputes between farmers and farmers, and have forced many people to migrate in search of better conditions.

Why is Sahel a vulnerable region?

Because it combines an extreme climate with scarce and irregular rains, fragile soils and high dependence on agriculture and grazing, which makes it very sensitive to droughts and food crises.

What environmental problems does Sahel face?

Mainly, it faces problems such as: desertification, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, overpass and prolonged droughts aggravated by climate change.

What are the causes of conflicts in Sahel?

The main causes of conflicts in SAHEL are: dispute over scarce resources such as water and fertile lands, food insecurity, ethnic tensions and presence of armed groups.

What is cultivated in the Sahel?

Mainly the crops of millet, sorghum, corn, peanuts and legumes are worked, along with some cattle in agropastoral systems.

What is the Great Green Wall in Sahel?

A Pan -African project that seeks to restore degraded land by planting a strip of vegetation to stop desertification and improve livelihoods.

If you want to read more articles similar to Sahel: what is, countries, climate, flora, fauna and conflict, we recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.