NEWSLETTER #53 - SOCIETY OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENTISTS

 

Volume 13, Issue 4,  October - December 2024

 

CONTENT

Chair's Foreword

The Contribution of Termite Mounds to Local Soil Fertility

Earth Science Events

References and selected reading

 

Chair's Foreword*

In the current issue we review the importance of termite mounds to soil health. Termites are often referred to as nature's ecosystem engineers; a title that is merited by the benefits termites impart to the surrounding soils through their remarkable mound constructions and intra-soil activities.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF TERMITE MOUNDS TO LOCAL SOIL FERTILITY

To highlight how effective termite mounds can be in enhancing soil health in the African savannah, we briefly consider the key elements or qualities that indicate good soil health.

   According to African highland farmers in Kenya [1], the two most prominent indicators of soil health are vegetation performance and soil colour which are indicators common to all 9 countries featured in the study. In addition to these we must also take note of up to 16 parameters that feature here as indicators of good soil health. Four prominent indicators in this group are shown below : 

1) moisture infiltration and retention

2) soil structure

3) amount of organic material

4) sufficient nutrients for plant growth in the form of nitrogen, phosphorous and  potassium.

   Having reviewed  key soil qualities that indicate a healthy soil we can  see why termites are regarded as ecosystem engineers. We can see that precisely the missing elements to make healthy soils are added by the actions of these creatures.

   Through the construction of termite mounds the termites create an environment with greater biodiversity, and local soil that has greater level of soil health and fertility.

   Termites burrow deep into the soil (to depths of > 1m) bringing in organic material foraged from eating plant material to build the mound. In the process they create mound and soil structures having good infiltration capacity as well as significant amounts of organic material. This helps the mound and surrounding soil in improving moisture retention.

 Termite mounds also contain significant amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, the elements so much needed to stimulate plant growth and enable processes like photosynthesis (in the case of nitrogen).

    Rainfall has the tendency to leach the contents out of the termite mounds so that these chemicals and organic matter are transported by runoff to the surrounding soil and groundwater.  Termite mounds are efficient in capturing carbon from the atmosphere [2]. An investigation into calcareous termite mounds on the west coast in South Africa inhabited by southern harvester termites and enriched by soil organic and inorganic carbon and soluble minerals, offer carbon sequestering via the leaching of carbonates into the groundwater.

   The termites burrow deep into the soil helping to improve the mound and surrounding soils structure, allowing for greater water infiltration and aeration. Studies in China [3] found that when termite mounds were abandoned the microbial communities in the surrounding soils resembled that of the mound. Furthermore, the soil physico-chemical properties, including water retention, soil pH, organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorous levels were closely associated with soil microbial communities.

Earth Science Events

October  6-9, 2024

XVIII African Regional Conference  on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://algeos-dz.com/18ARC.html

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

6 January 2025

International Conference on Environmental Meteorology and Pollution

VENUE: Abuja, Nigeria

10 February 2025

International Conference on Environmental Chemistry and Engineering

VENUE: Suez, Egypt

19 February 2025

International Conference on Soil Productivity and Quality

VENUE: Alexandria, Egypt

26 February 2025

World Congress on Soil and Water Sciences

VENUE: Giza, Egypt

21-22 May 2025

ESG Climate Africa Summit

VENUE: Nairobi, Kenya

August18–21, 2025

VISION: We are excited to announce the TC/ESG25 Conference, a collaboration between the Transformations Community, the Earth System Governance Project (ESG), and Wits University. 

VENUE: Johann & Krugee National Park, South Africa

References

[1] Eze, Samuel et al, Farmers indicators of  soil health in the African highlands, CATENA, Volume 203, August 2021, 105336

[2] Francis, M.I, et al., Calcareous termite mounds in South Africa are ancient carbon reservoirs,  Science of the Total Environment, 926 (2024).

[3] Chen, Chunfeng, et al., Effect of termite mounds on soil microbial communities and microbial processes: Implications for soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, Geoderma 431(2023), 116368.

 

*Board of the Society of African Earth Scientists: Dr Enas Ahmed (Egypt), Osmin Callis (Secretary - Guyana/Nigeria), Mathada Humphrey (South Africa), Ndivhuwo Cecilia Mukosi (South Africa), Damola Nadi (Nigeria), Dr Chukwunyere Kamalu (Chair - Nigeria).

NEWSLETTER #52 - SOCIETY OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENTISTS

 

Volume 13, Issue 3,  July- September 2024

 

CONTENT

Chair's Foreword

Review of APET Working Paper

Earth Science Events

References and selected reading

 

Chair's Foreword*

In this issue we critically review the African Union Working paper on Emerging Technologies (APET)[1]. In some ways it is a welcome report. The continent is obviously in need of policies that can be implemented to drive an acceleration of science, technology and innovation developments. However, it is not clear that this report can adequately guide such developments on its own  without comment, or review to help the reader. Hopefully this critical review can enable the reader to discern some of the most valuable information and research that it offers.

REVIEW OF THE AFRICAN 

UNION WORKING PAPER 

ON

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

(APET)

Strengthening the technology and innovation capabilities of African countries is critical to achieving the African Union Agenda 2063 [2] and the UN Sustainable Development Goals[3], which more or less universally are agreed will benefit African socio-economic development and therefore there has been a concerted drive to focus on the improvement of African human resources capacity towards science and technology and innovation skills.

   The APET report encourages efforts to broaden and mobilise participation of African citizens possessing the requisite scientific skills that can address Africa's current challenges; from Sustainable Development to climate change mitigation and disaster recovery and aversion.

   The report suggests that enhancing a culture of science among African citizens will lead to science, technology and innovation (STI)  progress and formulation. The APET report holds that African led scientific findings and a culture of scientific thinking can benefit the society by nurturing scientific innovation. The report holds that enabling and supporting a scientific culture in Africa will give rise to a strong foundation for socio-economic development and growth on the continent. The APET Working Paper Report recognises with the rapid progress seen in  information technology, that without scientific advancement the continent will lag  "socio-economically" far behind the rest of the world.

   In its analysis of science culture in Africa the report has noted that indigenous knowledge and innovation history informs us that African peoples have always possessed a scientific culture; but due to widespread ignorance of its history it has been assumed that African scientific culture is non-existent. Several reports cited by the APET study demonstrate to us that Africans have always been at the forefront of important scientific developments, with the advent of the sciences of mathematics, metallurgy, astronomy, stratigraphy, medicine and surgery, and many other examples on the African continent which the report documents.

   Perhaps controversially, the report does claim that African traditional beliefs such as the concept of personal immortality (where for instance immortality is  guaranteed by having offspring to retain the memory of deceased parents/ancestors) impede socio-economic and scientific progress; since it encourages overpopulation. However, this would appear to be a narrow view of African beliefs and their impact on societal outcomes. Furthermore, it has never been established scientifically that Africa is an overpopulated continent, beyond mere popular mythology and hearsay that is often parroted and suggested without inspection of the facts. For a fact we know that the combined populations of USA, Mexico, China, Iberian Peninsula, Western Europe, Japan, India and UK total 3.796 billions compared with Africa's 1.38 billions; whilst the land area of these combined countries totals just 27.02 million sq. km compared with Africa's 30.8 million sq km. So this often repeated assertion of African overpopulation is patently false. Yet even the African Union paper suggests this falsehood without inspection of the facts.

   The APET report goes on to chart Africa's historic capacity in STI,  noting its role in the early developments in

- chemistry and metallurgy [4]

- mathematics and geometry [5]

- medicine and surgery [6]

   It has been observed by earlier reports - for example, in the study of land and soil conservation practices in Africa - that western science and technology is often superimposed in a bid to eradicate indigenous African science and technology.  A thirty-two year old study of soil and water conservation in Africa [7] notes how modern western soil and water conservation solutions are often imposed on top of indigenous African systems that have existed for thousands of years. These include ancient terracing systems and systems of land management such as shifting cultivation and multi-cropping as opposed to mono-cropping which have served in modern times to deplete the soil quality in terms of material loss and  fertility loss.

   The report concludes with some recommendations. These include making the curriculum in Science in schools relevant to African peoples needs and realities. African governments should provide the infrastructure (e.g., technology hubs, etc) to enable a scientific culture. Also significant, in the papers conclusion, are the observations of numerous modern frameworks that now exist to guide development. These include and are not limited to: AU Agenda 2063, Science Agenda 2030,  Leading Integrated Research for Agenda 2030 (LIRA 2030) and Alliance for Advancing Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA).

   Finally, the report is rightly critical at the government level and continental level of how African governments are often content to import foreign solutions to  address African problems rather than encouraging indigenous solutions through intra-African collaboration. Furthermore, the report rightly notes too few Africans in decision-making positions showing sufficient interest in embracing the role of science and technology in African development.

   A recent and stark example of this cited failure includes the decision-making body of the African Union itself in the ongoing case of the Great Green Wall project. This grand project aims to halt the further southward encroachment of the Sahara desert and revitalise degraded landscapes across the 8,000 mile Sahelian belt of Africa, crossing some 21 countries in the process. It is an example on a grand scale, of how our African decision-makers can display lack of creativity and political will in seeking and encouraging intra-African solutions, and collaboration leading to formulation of African solutions to African problems rather than waiting for investments and solutions to be offered from abroad by foreign governments and institutions. This most definitely needs to change if African development is to be spurred on by indigenous African science, technology and innovation.

Earth Science Events

October  6-9, 2024

XVIII African Regional Conference  on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://algeos-dz.com/18ARC.html

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

6 January 2025

International Conference on Environmental Meteorology and Pollution

VENUE: Abuja, Nigeria

10 February 2025

International Conference on Environmental Chemistry and Engineering

VENUE: Suez, Egypt

19 February 2025

International Conference on Soil Productivity and Quality

VENUE: Alexandria, Egypt

26 February 2025

World Congress on Soil and Water Sciences

VENUE: Giza, Egypt

21-22 May 2025

ESG Climate Africa Summit

VENUE: Nairobi, Kenya

August18–21, 2025

VISION: We are excited to announce the TC/ESG25 Conference, a collaboration between the Transformations Community, the Earth System Governance Project (ESG), and Wits University. 

VENUE: Johann & Krugee National Park, South Africa

References

[1] African Union High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies[APET], Working Paper Series 1, African Union Development Agency, November 2021.

[2] Agenda 2063, The Africa We Want, Framework Document, African Union, September 2015.

[3] Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNDP, 2015.

[4] New York Times (South African edition), 8 February, 1979. See also Debra Shore, Steel-Making in Ancient Africa in Black's in Science ancient and modern, I. Van Sertima (ed.), Transaction Books, New Brunswick and London, 1985, pp.157-175.

[5] Kamalu, Chukwunyere, THE ISHANGO BONE: The World's First Known Mathematical Sieve and Table of the Small Prime Numbers, Society of African Earth Scientists, AfricArXiv. February 28, 2021. doi:10.31730/osf.io/6z2yr. See also Diop, C.A., Civilization or Barbarism, Lawrence Hill Books, 1991. pp.231-243.

[6] Finch, Charles S., African Background to Medical Science, in Black's in Science ancient and modern, I. Van Sertima (ed.), Transaction Books, New Brunswick and London, 1985, pp. 157-175.

[7] Soil and Water Conservation in Sub-saharan Africa, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Rome, 1992.

*Board of the Society of African Earth Scientists: Dr Enas Ahmed (Egypt), Osmin Callis (Secretary - Guyana/Nigeria), Mathada Humphrey (South Africa), Ndivhuwo Cecilia Mukosi (South Africa), Damola Nadi (Nigeria), Dr Chukwunyere Kamalu (Chair - Nigeria).

NEWSLETTER #51 - SOCIETY OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENTISTS

 

Volume 13, Issue 2,  April - June 2024

 

CONTENT

Chair's Foreword

Twelve Years a Learned Society: A Review of the Society of African Earth Scientists Impact on Science Information and Knowledge in Africa 2012-2024

Earth Science Events

References and selected reading

 

Chair's Foreword*

In April this year, we celebrated twelve years in existence. If we wish to symbolically connect this number to anything mathematically significant, it is apt to note the correspondence with the Ishango Bone's alleged number base of 12 (in past studies)! The bone is, after all, the subject of Society of African Earth Scientists (SAES)'s most prominent of several publications on the pan african digital archive (AfricArxiv). 

   In the twelve years since its launch on 26th April 2012, the Society of African Earth Scientists has impacted on science knowledge and information in Africa, not least, through its newsletter format and platform. In the current issue we review this impact on African scientific advancement in more detail as a spur for our continued work. The Society strives to make continued positive impact in line with its aims: to foster the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience that support African development. 

   Specifically, the work of SAES in the past 12 years has seen the society deliver workshops - online and in-person in various countries; advance scientific knowledge through its published contributions to the pan-African digital archive; launch an innovative Youth Science Program; support the proactive African response to climate change through its focus on renewable energy (particularly solar) and also promote sustainable development.

Twelve Years a  Learned Society: A Review of the Society of African Earth Scientists Impact on Science Information and Knowledge  in Africa 2012 - 2024

The  Society of African Earth Scientists in its first twelve years in existence made an impact on African scientific information and knowledge advancement through its publications, workshops, climate and sustainability conference, and other activities.

   In its remit, The Society has recognized Africa's basic needs for clean water and sanitation, sustainable energy (particularly renewable energy), sustainable  agriculture and food production as well as land and soil conservation and climate events  monitoring and reporting. This has over the years been translated into periodic newsletters, training workshops and seminars covering these areas.

Research and Publications: Contributions to Advancing Scientific Knowledge  and Understanding in Africa 

The Society has published over fifty newsletters. As well as this, the research and publication of four papers contributed by Society of African Earth Scientists to the pan African digital archive, AfricArxiv, and in particular, the research and publication of its paper on the Ishango Bone [1], is a rewarding achievement for the Society that will hopefully spur it on to more research. The paper proves that the Ishango Bone, an ancient artifact discovered in Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa,  is not just a tool, but is probably a mathematical sieve for revealing the small prime numbers.  If this is definitely the case, then central Africans discovered prime numbers 19,700 years before the Greek sieve of Eratosthenes. This is a remarkable discovery that elevates the status of Africa's contribution to world knowledge and history, and brings young Africans a sense of self pride that will encourage more towards the pursuit of mathematics as a subject of interest.

   Another of SAES's significant publications is its paper on land grabbing ("Earth Water and Justice" [2]) urging African governments to take note of the environmental and social impacts of land grabbing; and the obligations to current and future generations.

   SAES has contributed four research papers to AfricArxiv, a new pan-African digital archive that aims to make new African research more accessible to a global audience. By means of this contribution the Society has assisted in elevating the status and respect for African science research on the world stage as well as encouraging further African science research and development.

Promotion of Renewable Energy in Africa and Beyond through Workshops in Solar Photovoltaics 

The Society has delivered solar energy workshops in Nigeria, Ghana and London, UK aimed at equipping participants with the skills to establish their own stand-alone solar electric systems. 

   In the workshop events cited, the aim was to ignite a dynamic in which more and more Africans would become aware of the feasibility to exploit solar as a source of power in their households, and gain skills that might lead them to employment or business opportunities. In the future vision, the hope would be to deliver many renewable energy workshops in many African states; this might foster interstate collaboration on the subject area.

Establishing an Innovative Youth Science Programme: Patrice Lumumba African Youth Science Project 

The Society launched an innovative Youth Science project (Patrice Lumumba African Youth Science Project) by delivering an online training workshop in solar energy. The online format will enable communities in  every region of Africa to access the training. This is particularly advantageous for remote communities who cannot access in-person attendance to training workshops.

   The programme will also serve to promote knowledge and skills in renewable energy among young Africans, equipping them with the skills to further their employment and job creation opportunities.

Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa - The role of Geoparks

In May 2022 SAES held an online international meeting on Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa, with Dr Enas Ahmed outlining the opportunities in employing geoparks  to promote sustainable tourism, conservation and education. 

  This event demonstrated that SAES advocates for innovative approaches to African problems by highlighting the opportunities in geoparks, despite some reservations, because these will harness the continent's unique heritage of cultural and natural resources towards sustainable development. The Society's efforts in taking innovative approcahes to the changing African climate and environment are vital in the continent's need of voices to address the climate challenge. We note in passing that by taking these approaches, the Society is also contributing to the wider  aim of achieving the UN SDGs (United Nations Strategic Development Goals) for Africa.

Establishing a Potential Future Science Hub in Owerri Town, Nigeria

Last and not least, the Society has established its head office address on Tetlow Road in Owerri Town, which is now listed as a scientific institution in Nigeria. 

   This is a significant move which affords the Society the opportunity to establish a scientific hub and physical space where scientists can meet, connect and collaborate. It also creates a model for other parts of Africa to emulate in proliferating science institutions on the continent.

Earth Science Events

April  25-27, 2024

International Conference  on Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://www.icge24.com

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

May 15-18, 2024

6th Euro-Mediterranean Conference  for Environmental Integration

VISION:  https://waset.org/geophysics-and-dynamic-tectonics-conference-in-may-2024-in-algiers

VENUE: Marrakesh, Morocco

October  6-9, 2024

XVIII African Regional Conference  on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://algeos-dz.com/18ARC.html

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

References and selected reading

[1] Kamalu, C., The Ishango Bone: The World's First Mathematical Sieve and Table of the Small Prime Numbers, AfricArxiv, 21 February 2021. Society of African Earth Scientists.

[2] Kamalu, Chukwunyere. EARTH, WATER & JUSTICE: A Note by the Society of African Earth Scientists on the Environmental Effects of Land Grabbing, AfricArXiv, 3 May, 2023. doi:10.31730/osf.io/u5t23. Society of African Earth Scientists.

*Board of the Society of African Earth Scientists: Dr Enas Ahmed (Egypt), Osmin Callis (Secretary - Guyana/Nigeria), Mathada Humphrey (South Africa), Ndivhuwo Cecilia Mukosi (South Africa), Damola Nadi (Nigeria), Dr Chukwunyere Kamalu (Chair - Nigeria).

NEWSLETTER #50 -SOCIETY OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENTISTS

 

Volume 13, Issue 1,  January - March 2024

CONTENT

Chair's Foreword

The Great Green Wall of Africa: Hope for the Future Economy of a Youthful Independent Africa?

Earth Science Events

References and selected reading

Chair's Foreword*

This quarter we visit the topic of the Great Green Wall of Africa - a project set to become the Earth's largest living wonder. An 8,000 mile wall of trees (on the face of it) that will improve soil fertility, sequester carbon, restore degraded landscapes, and improve employment prospects for young Africans.

   This was the vision. In the current article we report on the outcomes so far.

The Great Green Wall: Hope for a Youthful Independent Africa

The Great Green Wall of Africa, first proposed by the then president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo and former president of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade  in 2007 [1] is referred to in Nigerian Federal Government literature as the"Great Green Wall, GGW"[2]. It is a project that was adopted by the African Union in 2007 primarily to halt desertification, mitigate climate warming by sequestering carbon and restoring degraded landscapes, among bringing many other associated benefits[3]. 

In various online articles, it was claimed that the Sahara desert had increased in size by an alarming 10% in the past 100 years. However, a more recent report in the National Geographic posits that the Sahara desert is a very stable ecosystem, which is largely unchanged[4].

   Originally, the planned dimensions of the Great Green Wall  were to be 15 km wide and a length that spanned 7,775 km across the Sahelian belt of Africa from  Djibouti in the east to Senegal in the west of Africa, across the territories of at least 22 nations who are now part of the project.[5]. The project aims to create a diversity of landscapes that are green and productive; that is, improving the environment, food security and even boosting opportunities in local employment. The effect will also be a positive impact on environmental change towards landscapes with increased vegetation and therefore more regional rainfall and resilience to drought; as increased vegetation cover leads to greater atmospheric moisture through evaporation and hence cloud formation.

   The primary objective of the project is to achieve these outcomes through the planting of a wall of trees across this 8,000 km belt; whilst at the same time implementing sustainable land management practices.

    This includes not only planting trees and vegetation, but also water harvesting, soil conservation, the rearing of cattle as part of the whole package to improve local soil fertility, local farming and sustainable land management. This has been so far achieved with the invaluable input of local communities who employ their indigenous knowledge in the process with good results. There are numerous past examples in Burkina Faso[6], Ethiopia etc of African indigenous technology employed to maintain the fertility of the soil, preserve soil and moisture through an arsenal of indigenous techniques; including terracing, stone-lines,  planting pits, check dams, stone bunds, planting nitrogen fixing trees such as acasia for the soil, and so on[7]. In past studies indigenous techniques were found to increase food production.

   In the seventeen years since the African Union launched the Great Green Wall it is estimated that only 4% of the wall has been established. Setbacks have possibly occurred  due to regional climate change and conflicts. But decision making African Union officials have not viewed it as a priority[8]. It has not been a project motivated internally by drawing together intra-African resources. Rather it seems the AU as a body waits on foreign donations and investment, without which no internal vision or drive would progress the project - and the project would fail. Some report it is already failing[9]

    Certain parts of the GGW are reported to have had more success. In Senegal desertification and land degradation has been arrested and the project has served to improve the livelihoods of local communities in the region sometimes by local initiatives, including individuals tired of seeing no progress on the much vaunted project, and taking it upon themselves to plant trees and vegetation along the wall; and sometimes with a mix of partners including both local communities and local/international NGOs and nonprofits working together. According to Ecosia, by September 2021 Senegal had planted 1.4 million trees over an area of 50,000 hectares, and restored  300 hectares. The success of Burkina Faso is perhaps founded on historical farming successes. It is recorded that 15 million trees were planted and 14,137 hectares (34,930 acres) of degraded land was restored. Nearer to the eastern end of the wall, Ethiopia planted almost 10 million trees and restored over 3600 hectares (over 8,900 acres).[10]

    What in conclusion is our overview on the GGW project? Well, on the face of it, it is a grand idea to build what could be an addition to the wonders of the world by 2030; the worlds largest living infrastructure, with potential for soil revitalisation, climate mitigation and so on. Ambitious plans[11] quote figures of restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land; creating 10 million "green jobs", growing fertile soil, etc. However, it is not easy to dismiss that although the project has some bright spots, it is diminishing overall. To an extent, the lack of dynamism behind the project makes it appear leaderless or rudderless. Earlier it was noted that it has not been a project motivated internally by drawing together intra-African resources. The AU as a body appears to wait on foreign investment. Despite being led by the African Union Commission and a Pan-African agency for the Great Green Wall, the lack of dynamism gives the impression of a free for all with foreign agencies and non-profits able to parachute in along any point of the wall to promote their own work and attract more donations from the public as  a result of  the prestige of the project. 

   Perhaps it is fortunate, if not a little embarrassing, that at least by this unguided means  the random end result (we hope) is the completion and establishment of the wall in our lifetimes. Also, at least in theory, the opportunities are open to all Africans including from the Diaspora with the requisite skills to intercede and to contribute in a similar vein; but with the principled approach of working together with local communities along the wall to deliver the project. 

   On the other hand why should Africans accept the unsatisfactory state of the project when it could significantly improve the quality of millions of lives? It is right to challenge the African Union Commission and Pan-African Agency for the Great Green Wall to do better: For instance, they should look to

1) hire more personnel with a passion for the project to steer  and guide it, rather  relying on  disinterested AU officials. To some extent this has happened. But reports persist of the project being hampered by the lack of priority to the wall given by AU officials,

2) provide more robust leadership with a more dynamic indigenously driven plan that garners intra-African support,

3) dedicate a team to identifying and ensuring the delivery of all of the economic and social benefits of the project.

Some of the above criticism may appear unwarranted. But in attempting to address these perceived shortcomings cited here and in previous reports, there is at least a greater chance of ensuring achievement of what the Great Green Wall was set out to deliver for Africa.

Earth Science Events

April  25-27, 2024

International Conference  on Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://www.icge24.com

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

May 15-18, 2024

6th Euro-Mediterranean Conference  for Environmental Integration

VISION:  https://waset.org/geophysics-and-dynamic-tectonics-conference-in-may-2024-in-algiers

VENUE: Marrakesh, Morocco

 

October  6-9, 2024

XVIII African Regional Conference  on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

VISION:  https://algeos-dz.com/18ARC.html

VENUE: Hammamet, Tunisia

References and selected reading

[1] "Get Africa's Great Green Wall back on track", Nature, Editorial, Nov., 2020.

[2] "Nigeria creates agency for Great Green Wall project". Premium Times Nigeria, 9 September 2014. Retrieved September 2019. 

[3] Great Green Wall Initiative | UNCCD ,  http://www.unccd.int/our-work/ggwi

[4] The Great Green Wall (nationalgeographic.org), http://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-green-wall

[5]  UNCCD, Op. cit. 

[6] Morrison, J., The Great Green Wall Did'nt Stop Desertification. But it Evolved into Something that Might, Smithsonian Magazine, Retrieved, 1 May 2021.

[7] International Fund for Agricultural Development, Soil and Water Conservation in Sub-saharan Africa, Rome, 1992.

[8]  Nature, op.cit.

[9] The Green Wall Project to Restore the African Sahara is Collapsing, Independent, 12 Dec., 2023.

[10] Regenerating Diverse Landscapes, Ecosia. Retrieved 2 July 2020

[11] UNCCD, Op. cit.

*Board of the Society of African Earth Scientists: Dr Enas Ahmed (Egypt), Osmin Callis (Secretary - Guyana/Nigeria), Mathada Humphrey (South Africa), Ndivhuwo Cecilia Mukosi (South Africa), Damola Nadi (Nigeria), Dr Chukwunyere Kamalu (Chair - Nigeria).