Scholarlink

<p>This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the main sebkhas (salt lakes) in North Africa, including those in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. These saline depressions constitute unique ecosystems within arid wetlands supporting halophytic vegetation and specific aquatic fauna, making them essential habitats for biodiversity conservation. More than 30 North African sebkhas are designated Ramsar sites, underscoring their ecological significance. North African sebkhas exhibit remarkable geodiversity, functioning as either coastal evaporitic systems or inland saline depressions, and contain significant natural resources, including salt, sulfate, potassium, and, in some cases, light metals such as lithium. Despite this potential, these ecosystems remain severely understudied. They are increasingly exposed to environmental pressures, including pollution, climate variability, and human activities, yet the magnitude of these threats remains insufficiently assessed. By compiling and comparing available knowledge on sebkhas across six North African countries, this review highlights both the ecological and geoscientific richness of these environments and the significant lack of recent data. It also emphasizes the urgent need for interdisciplinary research to better understand, enhance, and sustainably manage North Africa’s sebkhas.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

An overview of North African sebkhas: diversity, resources, and environmental challenges

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月25日

查看全文
  • Salma Regragui,
  • Loubna Terhzaz,
  • Saida Niazi,
  • Otmane Raji,
  • Muhammad Ouabid,
  • Abdelkarim Louaya,
  • Amel Barich,
  • Afaf Amine

摘要

This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the main sebkhas (salt lakes) in North Africa, including those in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. These saline depressions constitute unique ecosystems within arid wetlands supporting halophytic vegetation and specific aquatic fauna, making them essential habitats for biodiversity conservation. More than 30 North African sebkhas are designated Ramsar sites, underscoring their ecological significance. North African sebkhas exhibit remarkable geodiversity, functioning as either coastal evaporitic systems or inland saline depressions, and contain significant natural resources, including salt, sulfate, potassium, and, in some cases, light metals such as lithium. Despite this potential, these ecosystems remain severely understudied. They are increasingly exposed to environmental pressures, including pollution, climate variability, and human activities, yet the magnitude of these threats remains insufficiently assessed. By compiling and comparing available knowledge on sebkhas across six North African countries, this review highlights both the ecological and geoscientific richness of these environments and the significant lack of recent data. It also emphasizes the urgent need for interdisciplinary research to better understand, enhance, and sustainably manage North Africa’s sebkhas.