Desertification and Soil Loss
Over-farming, over-grazing, and over-population of marginal lands and natural soil erosion have caused serious desertification of the region.
Major dust storms are a frequent occurrence, as well. During November 2004, a number of major dust storms hit the Chad, originating in the Bodélé Depression. This is a common area for dust storms (occurring, on average, 100 days every year).
On 25 August 2008, heavy dust storms passed over the eastern plains of Somalia and the northeast of a still drought-hit Kenya. On March 23, 2010, a major sandstorm hit Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, and inland Sierra Leone. Another struck in southern Algeria, inland Mauritania, Mali, and northern Côte d’Ivoire at the same time.
The region is at risk of desertification.
Read more about this topic: Sahel
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