The Sahelian region that spans the entire continent from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea is one of the major world hot-spots in term of population growth, poverty, food security, water demand, land degradation and climate risk.

The area and its peoples suffered several devastating droughts and famines in 1972-1973 and in 1983-1984 with dramatic consequences on water, soil and vegetation resources associated with massive losses in livestock.

Many studies have shown a remarkable resilience of the Sahelian ecosystems since. This presentation demonstrates this resilience and draws lessons for land and water management in the semi-arid regions taking the tiger bush as an example.

About Dr. Valentin
Christian Valentine is an agronomy engineer (Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon), he holds a Ph.D. in soil science and a habilitation to supervise Ph. D. from the University of Paris.

He has 30 years of experience in conducting and coordinating interdisciplinary research in soil erosion, agronomy, hydrology and ecology, mainly in West Africa and Southeast Asia.

He chaired the soil erosion and conservation of the International Union of Soil Sciences, the international network of the Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems program of the International Geosphere Biosphere Program.

He has also worked as consultant and resource person for various international organizations.