When the Sahara Was Green

Viac o knihe

The Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world, was once a lush land filled with rivers and lakes, supporting diverse wildlife like Nile perch, turtles, crocodiles, and hippos, which attracted prehistoric hunters and herders. This transformation from a verdant landscape to a vast desert raises questions about climate change, human impact, and the evidence uncovered by scientists. The narrative explores the Sahara’s evolution from savanna woodland and grassland to its current arid state, detailing the formation of ancient rocks, the era of dinosaurs, and the region's once-thriving forests. Martin Williams addresses critical questions: What caused the Sahara's previous wetness, and could it return? Did human activities play a role in its desertification? How have extreme climatic events, like prolonged droughts, affected the geology, ecology, and inhabitants of the Sahara? The book illustrates how plants, animals, and humans have adapted to the desert environment and offers insights into living harmoniously with such harsh conditions amid a changing global climate. This exploration of the Sahara's history provides a valuable perspective on its past, present, and potential future.