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 It is a thoughtful synthesis of unpublished information, combined with vivid descriptions of landscapes and animals and contains a large number of drawings, maps and photographs.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).