Sahara Desert (ecoregion)

The Sahara Desert is an ecoregion (PA1327). The Sahara is the world's largest desert and is located in northern Africa.

Table of contents

1 Overview 2 Regions 3 Related Articles 4 See also 5 External link

Overview

Ecozone : Palearctic Biome : Deserts and Xeric Shrublands Climate type : extreme in the dry and hot climate Soil types : Surface area : 4,639,900 square kilometers (1,791,500 square miles) Conservation status : Vulnerable Global 200 : Oceans or seas (borders) : from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea Rivers : Countries :

The Sahara was one of the first regions of Africa to be farmed. However, desertification set in around 3000 BC. Some historians and anthropologists have suggested that over-grazing by the domestic animals (particularly pigs) of ancient civilizations of the region was a primary factor in its eventual desertification. The Sahara is largely undisturbed. The most degradation is found in areas where there is water, such as aquifer oases or along the desert margins where some rain usually falls most years. In these areas, animals such as addaxes, scimitar-horned oryxes, and bustards are over-hunted for their meat.

The southern border of the Sahara is marked by the Sahel.

Only one area of conservation is recorded in the Sahara: Zellaf Nature Reserve in Libya (1000 km²) (WCMC 2000).

Regions

• Arbre du Ténéré

• Sahara desert (PA1327); World Wildlife Fund