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Africa
June 12th, 2008
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AFRICA
Atlas of Our Changing Environment
Atlas Home Chapters Site Images Interactive Maps Media Press Release
As the age-old adages say, "A picture is worth a thousand words" and "Seeing is believing", this stunning 400-page Africa: Atlas of our Changing Environment is a unique and powerful publication which brings to light stories of environmental change at more than 100 locations spread across every country in Africa. Using current and historical satellite images, the Atlas provides scientific evidence of the impact that natural and human activities have had on the continent's environment over the past several decades. This UNEP publication should be of immense value to all those who want to know more about Africa and who care about the future of this continent.
This site contains downloadable versions of the atlas in both English and French. Also included are powerpoints, posters, satellite images, graphics, and interactive maps.
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Go to: PDFs — Site Images — Powerpoints and Posters
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AFRICA: Atlas of Our Changing Environment
Chapter 3 - Mali
The Drying Up of Lake Faguibine
When Mali¹s Lake Faguibine is full, it is among the largest lakes in West Africa‹it covered an estimated 590 km2 in 1974‹and is an important source of water for the surrounding area. The lake is at the end of a series of basins that receive water from the Niger River when it floods. Thus, water levels in Lake Faguibine are closely tied to the flow of the Niger River. A lack of rainfall in the catchments of either the lake or the river can affect water levels in Lake Faguibine.
Water levels have fluctuated widely in Lake Faguibine since the beginning of the 20th century. However, in the late 1980s, an extended period of reduced precipitation led to a complete drying up of the lake in the 1990s, making the traditional livelihoods of fishing, agriculture, and pastoralism difficult if not impossible. Despite relatively normal rainfall in recent years, Lake Faguibine remains nearly dry.
A 2003 Columbia University study linked changes in sea surface temperature to drought in the Sahel during the 1970s and 1980s. More recent research has linked sea surface temperatures to human induced global warming. As global warming intensifies, there may be more change in store for West Africa and for the people who depend on water resources such as Lake Faguibine for their livelihoods.
2008-2009 United Nations Environment Programme