Science > Environmental Issues

Africa's Great Wall of Trees

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bngenoh:
A pretty huge undertaking, it will definitely stop or slow down significantly the spread of the Sahara further south, but what are the possible long term implications, especially on climate? i don't know.

What do you guys think?

Source: http://news.discovery.com/earth/wall-of-trees-in-africa-110621.html

voyageur:

--- Quote from: bngenoh ---What do you guys think?

--- End quote ---

Dunno what precisely these forests could do in the long run, because if mother nature wants to swallow that ground up with drifting sand, it seems that these forces could do just that, even if just incrementally or maybe fast as has happened to the grounds adjacent and elsewhere (Mongolia for instance), one way or the other,osit. Perhaps the forests new microsites environment can influence on things such as humility which can have an affect on winds and direction forcing curvature around; maybe. :/

eoste:

--- Quote ---It is a crazy project, but a touch of madness helps when conceiving something which has never been conceived," Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said
--- End quote ---

A few centuries ago there were lots of forests in these areas. Europeans chopped them down.
A few decades ago there were much more trees. Local people used them for charcoal.
Now, if there are enough rains and the Great Wall of Trees is growing nicely, this could be a very powerful realization.
Long term implications would mostly be, imho, on the mind : Cooperation on creative projects versus division on destructive ones...

herondancer:

--- Quote from: voyageur on January 28, 2012, 09:30:12 AM ---
--- Quote from: bngenoh ---What do you guys think?

--- End quote ---

Dunno what precisely these forests could do in the long run, because if mother nature wants to swallow that ground up with drifting sand, it seems that these forces could do just that, even if just incrementally or maybe fast as has happened to the grounds adjacent and elsewhere (Mongolia for instance), one way or the other,osit. Perhaps the forests new microsites environment can influence on things such as humility which can have an affect on winds and direction forcing curvature around; maybe. :/

--- End quote ---

It may be that mother nature does want a desert, there will be a desert.  But in terms of a gesture that symbolically encourages growth and renewal, it could be important.  Like recycling, reusing, and limiting new purchases.  It may not make a huge difference in the long run, but it bespeaks an attitude of responsibility for what you consume from the Earth.  If this project could avoid the corruption that is endemic in the politics of the area, there may be some actual benefits to those living there.  I think it was Martin Luther who said that even if the world were to end tomorrow, he would still plant trees and work in his garden.Why not give it a try?  :)

bngenoh:

--- Quote from: voyageur on January 28, 2012, 09:30:12 AM ---Dunno what precisely these forests could do in the long run, because if mother nature wants to swallow that ground up with drifting sand, it seems that these forces could do just that, even if just incrementally or maybe fast as has happened to the grounds adjacent and elsewhere (Mongolia for instance), one way or the other,osit. Perhaps the forests new microsites environment can influence on things such as humility which can have an affect on winds and direction forcing curvature around; maybe. :/

--- End quote ---
The desertification process is very complex, and probably multifactorial, on humanity's side there is deforestation, pollution, etc, basically short term thinking & instant gratification, the thinking of immaturity.

--- Quote from: Esote on January 28, 2012, 10:58:32 AM ---
--- Quote ---It is a crazy project, but a touch of madness helps when conceiving something which has never been conceived," Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said
--- End quote ---

--- End quote ---
Interesting that you picked that quote, as it stood out to me as well, you do have to be a little crazy to chart a new course, osit. :D

--- Quote ---A few centuries ago there were lots of forests in these areas. Europeans chopped them down.
A few decades ago there were much more trees. Local people used them for charcoal.
Now, if there are enough rains and the Great Wall of Trees is growing nicely, this could be a very powerful realization.
Long term implications would mostly be, imho, on the mind : Cooperation on creative projects versus division on destructive ones...

--- End quote ---
Agree with this completely maybe it is symbolic of deep changes (pun not intended but it came out anyway  :D). In the consciousness of those people.

--- Quote from: herondancer on January 28, 2012, 11:26:58 AM ---It may be that mother nature does want a desert, there will be a desert.  But in terms of a gesture that symbolically encourages growth and renewal, it could be important.  Like recycling, reusing, and limiting new purchases.  It may not make a huge difference in the long run, but it bespeaks an attitude of responsibility for what you consume from the Earth.  If this project could avoid the corruption that is endemic in the politics of the area, there may be some actual benefits to those living there.  I think it was Martin Luther who said that even if the world were to end tomorrow, he would still plant trees and work in his garden.Why not give it a try?  :)

--- End quote ---
Ditto what i just said above, as a symbolic act, it is really a manifestation of a great change having already taken place in the psyche of the peoples engaged in this project. As to the corruption, well we can only wait and see, as to just how much the general populace in that area has really grown, osit.

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