Scientific Research and Ecotourism
Contrary to popular belief, the Sahara Desert carries many treasures and valuable resources within its soil and underground. The minerals are formed because of the aridity in the area, and different resources are formed, improved, or preserved by geological processes. Also, the evaporation that occurs in the Sahara enhances the mineral level in nearby water sources. Lake beds have been made in the Sahara to function as mineral deposits. Water evaporation leads to these minerals: gypsum, salts (sodium nitrate, sodium chloride), and borates. Boron is an essential ingredient that comes from the borate evaporites in the manufacturing of glass, agricultural chemicals, water softeners, and pharmaceuticals. The total value of the boron from the Sahara estimated around $1 billion US last year. Productive petroleum, minerals such as copper, and necessary fossil fuels are all existent in the hot deserts and especially in the Sahara Desert.
One of the inhabitants of the Sahara Desert is the Saharan cheetah, an endangered species that only exists today in six countries of Algeria, Niger, Mali, Benin, Burkina-Faso and Togo. There are only 250 of these creatures left in the desert, and even today, they are slowly diminishing, and may soon disappear altogether. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, "The populations are very fragmented and small, with the biggest thought to be found in Algeria. The ongoing surveys in the region will also work with the local Tuareg pastoralist community to find out more about the ecology of the cheetah and identify threats to it." The survey, conducted by the Zoological Society of London, hopes to provide information about population, movement, and ecology in order to rescue these creatures from possible extinction. The funds that are collected through this ecotourism process will greatly help out the dangerous conditions that not only the Saharan cheetah is facing in the desert because of the growth of hunting and recreational killings. More research will be done on the Sahara Desert to see how these endangered species can be saved from extinction, therefore helping the desert biome stay alive and flourshing (on its own level) in biodiversity. However, many laws have been put into place by the World Wildlife Foundation in order to ensure the protection of the Saharan cheetah.
The Sahara Desert has its own intrinsic values as well. It manages to support an abundantly diverse variety of flora and fauna that make their homes in the area. In addition, it supports the existence of the many people that live in its countries.
The area's vulnerability lies in its extremely high temperatures, making it difficult to sustain certain types of life in the area. However, its contribution to global diversity lies in its maintenance and preservation of the hot desert biome, which contains wildlife and terrain that is distinct from all others.
Ecotourism can help bring in funds not only to further investigate the situation of the Saharan cheetah, but to improve the general welfare of the people in these countries. By discovering and improving methods of conservation, we can refine conservation strategies and perhaps move a great deal closer to saving these magnificent felines.
The Sahara Desert has its own intrinsic values as well. It manages to support an abundantly diverse variety of flora and fauna that make their homes in the area. In addition, it supports the existence of the many people that live in its countries.
The area's vulnerability lies in its extremely high temperatures, making it difficult to sustain certain types of life in the area. However, its contribution to global diversity lies in its maintenance and preservation of the hot desert biome, which contains wildlife and terrain that is distinct from all others.
Ecotourism can help bring in funds not only to further investigate the situation of the Saharan cheetah, but to improve the general welfare of the people in these countries. By discovering and improving methods of conservation, we can refine conservation strategies and perhaps move a great deal closer to saving these magnificent felines.
Welcome to Boron. Tourist attraction site. nov. 28. 2010 http://visitboron.com/Boron%20Sign.jpg
Current Research in the Sahara
There are many projects that are taking place in the Sahara Desert and in many other deserts around the world because of the rise in knowledge about the benefits that deserts can give towards energy, resources, and land. There is a research and experimental project called the Sahara Solar Breeder Project that wants to provide 50% of the world's electricity from systems that will be constructed in the vast lands of the desert. The high numbers seem a bit absurd and unreasonable, but the ideas that provisioned are well-thought out. However, this research may go against our goals of preserving the natural state of the biome, because we believe that ultimately, nature beats the necessity of electricity systems (whether or not it might pump most of the electricity the world will need). The picture below shows a diagram of the buildings that will be constructed if the plan goes underway. Hideomi Koinuma, the project leader, has thought out carefully the negative externalities that may arise that could be dangerous to the system and the people working it, but he believes that the Sahara Desert is perfect for the needs of electricity in the world.
Quick, Darren. Gizmag News on the web. 'Sahara Solar Breeder Project' http://www.gizmag.com/sahara-solar-breeder-project/17054/
Activities
- Expedition of the Sahara: This will be a journey of a lifetime! Take an expedition through the sandy mountains and the unknowns of the African lands on the borders of the Sahara! Get to see exotic animals, go sightseeing, wrestle through mud on a jeep truck, and see the Sahara in action.
- Camel rides: You and your family can grab the once in a lifetime opportunity to ride a camel in the Sahara Desert. After pictures and a long walk across the most beautiful valley in the desert, you will be given a chance to feed the camel and brush its fur. This activity is perfect for a families with children and couples.
- Coconut and Pineapple slushie contest: Slushie making experts will guide you to develop your own style of slushie or smoothie with the wide variety of different and exotic fruits that the Sahara grows. After creating your own delectable treat, judges will decide the winner and award you the slushie you've made but enough materials to last an entire year!
- Sand Castle Playground and Museum: Come take a ride on the biggest slide in the world! Not on plastic, not on metal, not on wood....but on sand! Enjoy a 500 foot sand slide that you can race against your family! You also get to excavate different fossils and minerals in the sand and receive prizes. The playground also consists of the biggest wooden playground in the world with different tunnels, towers, and hideaways. Sand castles are built for viewing; there are over 500 different sand castles from 5 inches to 50 feet tall!
- Nature Walk: Explore and discover the exotic plants and animals of the desert! Take a hike through a specially designed trail while an expert introduces the wildlife of the Sahara Desert to you! Discover the Welwitchsia, the African Peyote Cactus, the Date Palm, and the Eragrostis! See the magnificent wingspan of the African Silverbill, observe camels and ostriches in their natural habitats, and discover the fascinating monitor lizard and beetles. The Sahara Desert's incredibly diverse wildlife is indeed a sight to behold!
Blasak Beach. Sandcastle Competitions Blasak. http://reedmeia.com/blasak/sandcastles.jpg/haunted_mansion
Mehos, Sandra. Sand attractions Brazil. Cornea Co. http://sandattractionsbrazil.com/sand_slide?q#rsp
Blasak Beach. Sandcastle Competitions Blasak. http://reedmeia.com/blasak/sandcastles.jpg/yogi_bear_trail
- Model Shooting: You will get a chance to model in the very natural settings of the Sahara Desert with professional photographers and highly technological cameras and light systems. Since the sun will provide the best light for picture taking in the world, this is an ideal place to start your model career or just have some fun with friends and family.
- Spongebob's Home: Visit the ultimate home of the beloved cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants! Visit his pineapple home, sandy's arboretum, the Krusty Krab, Bikini Bottom, and much more! All of the figures are life sized and you will experience a whole new world of being "underwater" in the desert....and through your favorite cartoon characters!
Take a Tour Around Bikini Bottom. Nov. 28. 2010http://students.cmccd.cc.ca.us/HTML/spring04/Chase/sandyhouse.jpg
The video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wy6xk0gJjsweeblylink_new_window) shows a group of travelers traversing the sands of the Sahara Desert. Maybe soon, you can visit this amazing place and record your own travels!
The Sahara Desert will turn into an unpredictable amazing paradise getaway that people all over the world would want to visit. The activities listed above are only a very few of the many different tourist attractions that will take place! As more and more tourists decide to come, more museums, amusement parks, natural sights, and biome friendly attractions will be placed!
