African Drylands

Drylands are characterised by a shortage of water which affects natural and managed ecosystems and limits the production of crops and other plants, impacting greatly on livestock and humans.

Dryland ecosystems are vulnerable to degradation from human impacts and climate change, and yet support the livelihoods of one billion rural poor people. The Sahelian drylands in Africa spans from the East in the Horn of Africa to Dakar, Senegal where temperatures are hot, water is scarce, and the seasons distinct. Populations here lag behind the rest of the World on human well – being and development indicators. Therefore it is not surprising that the Sahelian drylands of West Africa contains three out of the four poorest countries in the world. The significance of these points as explained in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment on drylands and desertification is the basis for our continued work in this part of the World. Click here to plant a tree in Africa.

The Sahel crosses 11 countries