La désertification est un phénomène mondial qui affecte près de la moitié de la surface de la planète, notamment en Afrique où 43 % des terres se trouvent dans des zones arides ou semi-arides. La lutte contre la désertification dans ces milieux constitue une des priorités majeures des États sahélo-sahariens du Circum-Sahara. L’ « Initiative africaine Grande Muraille Verte » (IAGMV) répond à ces enjeux via un ensemble d’actions destinées à assurer le développement socio-économique régional. Elle signe l’émergence d’un leadership de l’Afrique dans la prise en charge de ses défis environnementaux, à travers la gestion durable et la valorisation de l’important potentiel de développement des zones arides du continent. Malgré l’acquisition de connaissances scientifiques et techniques dans les domaines liés à la gestion durable des terres en zones arides, la majeure partie de ces données n’ont pas été capitalisées et diffusées, ce qui fragilise la mise en place des différentes politiques de lutte contre la désertification. Cet ouvrage a ainsi pour objectif de faire l’état des lieux des connaissances et initiatives sur la gestion des problématiques de la désertification. Il capitalise les résultats, les expériences, les techniques et autres données issues de la recherche scientifique, mais aussi des pratiques et des savoirs traditionnels acquis au cours des cinquante dernières années. Il propose les recommandations qui en découlent afin d’optimiser les stratégies et les performances des programmes et projets de l’ « Initiative Grande Muraille Verte ». Il s’adresse aux chercheurs, hydrologues, écologues, agronomes ainsi qu’aux développeurs et aménageurs investis dans les programmes de lutte contre la désertification.

'Nomads of Mauritania' aims at understanding the cultural identity (religious beliefs, language, values, relationships with others) of the Mauritanian nomads through their geographical environment, an original history, their lifestyle, caste system, diet, housing and crafts and how it is revealed by their art, materially expressed on the everyday objects and the body and defined for the first time as geometrical-abstract and respectively as ephemeral usual art and ephemeral living art. Furthermore, what has become of the nomads of Mauritania with the climate warming and the economic and cultural globalization and to what extent are they still the pillars and heart of the Mauritanian society of today?

In today’s rapidly evolving world, it has never been more critical to consider key environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and endangered species. Society faces an unknown future where the fate of the environment is continuously in flux based on current preservation initiatives that governments develop. In order to ensure the world is protected moving forward, further study on the importance of securing environments, ecosystems, and species is necessary to successfully implement change. The Research Anthology on Ecosystem Conservation and Preserving Biodiversity considers the best practices and strategies for protecting our current ecosystems as well as the potential ramifications of failing to implement policies. Society is at a crossroads where if we continue to ignore the danger and warning signs brought about by environmental issues, we will be unable to maintain a healthy environment. Covering essential topics such as extinction, climate change, and pollution, this major reference work is ideal for scientists, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, policymakers, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

The problems related to the process of industrialisation such as biodiversity depletion, climate change and a worsening of health and living conditions, especially but not only in developing countries, intensify. Therefore, there is an increasing need to search for integrated solutions to make development more sustainable. The United Nations has acknowledged the problem and approved the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. On 1st January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda officially came into force. These goals cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. The Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals comprehensively addresses the SDGs in an integrated way. It encompasses 17 volumes, each devoted to one of the 17 SDGs. This volume is dedicated to SDG 6 "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all". Water and sanitation are fundamental to human well-being. Integrated water resources management is essential to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and to the realization of Sustainable Development. Concretely, the defined targets are: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes Expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving Uwater and sanitation management Editorial Board Ulisses M. Azeiteiro, Anabela Marisa Azul, Luciana Brandli, Dominique Darmendrail, Despo Fatta–Kassinos, Walter Leal Filho, Susan Hegarty, Amanda Lange Salvia, Albert Llausàs, Paula Duarte Lopes, Javier Marugán, Fernando Morgado, Wilkister Nyaora Moturi, Karel F. Mulder, Alesia Dedaa Ofori, Sandra Ricart