Lake Chad is economically important, providing water to more than 30 million people living in the four countries surrounding it (Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria) on the central part of the Sahel. It is the largest lake in the Chad Basin.
Why is Lake Chad important?
According to FAO Director of Land and Water Parviz Koohafkan, the Lake Chad basin is one of the most important agricultural heritage sites in the world, providing a lifeline to nearly 30 million people in four countries — Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. … Parts of the lake also extend to Niger and Cameroon.
Why is Lake Chad economically important?
Lake Chad is economically important, providing water to more than 30 million people in four countries surrounding the central part of the Sahel. In West Africa, the multiplying effect on agricultural productivity, health and security of the region is affected by the decrease in water levels of the Lake.
Why is the fact that Lake Chad is located in the Sahel important?
Lake Chad is a large, shallow, endorheic lake in the African Sahel. … Lake Chad is economically important. It provides water to over 68 million people in the four countries surrounding it: Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. It is on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
How has Lake Chad changed over time?
The lake was once one of the largest water bodies on the planet and due to climatic variability, climate change and human pressure on water resources in its basin over recent decades, the lake has shrunk by 90% from 25000 square kms in 1963 to less than 1500 square kilometers in 2001.
What is wrong with Lake Chad?
But the Lake Chad “Basin” that covers almost 8% of the continent, spreads over seven countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Niger and Nigeria. The water body has diminished by 90% since the 1960s due to overuse and climate change effects.
Are there crocodiles in Lake Chad?
Lake Chad itself holds 85 fish species. … There are many floating islands in the lake. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, hippopotamus, crocodile (all in decline), and large communities of migrating birds including wintering ducks, ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and other waterfowl and shore birds.
Who needs Lake Chad?
For years, the lake has been supporting drinking water, irrigation, fishing, livestock and economic activity for over 30 million people in the region. It is vital for indigenous, pastoral and farming communities in one of the world’s poorest countries.
What is causing Lake Chad to shrink?
Once one of Africa’s largest lakes, Lake Chad has shrunk by around 90% since the 1960s. This receding water is down to a reduction of precipitation, induced by climate change, as well as development of modern irrigation systems for agriculture and the increasing human demand for freshwater.
Why did Mega Lake Chad dry up?
The drying of Lake Mega-Chad reveals a story of dramatic climate change in the southern Sahara, with a rapid change from a giant lake to desert dunes and dust, due to changes in rainfall from the West African Monsoon.
What is an interesting fact about Chad?
The country is named after Lake Chad. It is the second-largest lake in Africa and the largest wetland in Chad. Lake Chad is a freshwater lake that touches base with Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger. It has shrunk by as much as 95% since 1963.
How is Lake Chad saved?
The Lake Chad replenishment project is a proposed major water diversion scheme that would involve damming the right tributaries of the Congo river, channeling some of the water to Lake Chad through a navigable canal. The canal, named Transaqua, was proposed by a team of engineers of the firm Bonifica, led by Dr.
Why is Lake Chad not salty?
The climate in this ecoregion is dry, with an annual average of 320 mm of rain falling on the lake. … Despite the high rates of evaporation, Lake Chad has low levels of salinity because the more saline waters sink and leave the lake through subterranean conduits in the north.
Does Chad still exist?
Chad is a large landlocked country spanning north-central Africa. It covers an area of 1,284,000 square kilometres (496,000 sq mi), lying between latitudes 7° and 24°N, and 13° and 24°E, and is the twentieth-largest country in the world.
Why is Lake Chad called an inland drainage?
The Chad basin constitutes the largest inland drainage area in Africa. … At its maximum extent the sea was more than 600 feet (180 metres) deep, occupied an area of approximately 154,400 square miles (400,000 square km), and drained into the Atlantic Ocean through the Benue River system.