The world habitats are changing and the Sahel region is
no exception. Affected by climate change and other rapid
man-made habitat changes related to deforestation, irrigation
and reclamation of wetlands, the Sahel is changing its face.
For long-distance migratory birds, the Sahel is a very important
wintering area and the transformation of the region will
also have a strong influence on migratory bird populations
that depend on it.

 

 

“Living
on the edge” - a new informative book written by the
four international acclaimed biologists – Leo Zwarts,
Rob Bijlsma, Jan van der Kamp and Eddy Wymenga – deals
with the challenges birds have to cope with due to the changes
in the Sahel. It is a thoughtful synthesis of unpublished
information, combined with vivid descriptions of landscapes
and animals and contains a large number of drawings, maps
and photographs. It is a fascinating book for conservation
professionals and nature enthusiasts with an interest in
Africa, wetlands, migratory birds, and the ever-changing
global biosphere.

The
launch of this new publication took place in the Netherlands
on 12 September 2009, where Dr. Gerard C. Boere (Honorary
Patron of AEWA) presented a first copy of the book to Mr.
Bert Lenten in his capacity as Executive Secretary of the
Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory
Waterbirds (AEWA) as well as Acting Deputy Executive Secretary
of the Convention on migratory species (CMS).