Uncovering the socio-economic potential of Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems in the Sahel

Posted in : Latest on 13 December 2023

In the Sahel region, where water resources are mostly underground, groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are important lifelines for communities, around which a multitude of social interactions and economic activities develop. Healthy ecosystems are key for livelihoods and economies. GDEs provide direct goods and services to humans including fish, livestock, plants, medicines, timber, and water storage and purification. Indirect benefits to human well-being derive from sustaining biodiversity, habitat, and landscapes for social, cultural, aesthetic, ethical, and economic reasons. GDEs are also fundamental to the survival of various protected species and figure prominently in sites covered by the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands.