Page 4 - Summary-BSI

Lake Bardawil and Sinai Desert Restoration Project

3.2. Coastal ecosystems in collapse 3.3. Land ecosystems in collapse 3.3. Future pressures and risks

4,500 fishermen are depending on the natural resources of Lake Historical overgrazing and depletion of water has led to increased Climate change, combined with a fast growing population of
Bardawil, but there is an overall decline of fish catch in tonnage desertification. The local population suffers from heat waves, sand Egypt, will accelerate the collapse of the ecosystems. Natural
and quality. storms and flash floods. resources will further decrease, leading to food and water
insecurity. All combined leading to degrading livelihood, less
future perspective and potential instability in the region.

Decreasing tidal influence from the Mediterranean Sea has led to
an increase of salinity levels and decreasing depth in the lake,
combined with unsustainable fishing practices the fish population
further declines.
An extensive North Sinai
Lake History Today floristic composition and
Bardawil structure survey performed
in 2005 and 2006 revealed “Our changing climate also comes with huge potential security impacts as
the increasing droughts and floodings affect the food- and water security
that the flora and fauna has
Surface 680 km² 580 km² dramatically changed in the of complete regions in the world. This has a disrupting effect on societies,
especially in fragile regions, resulting in internal friction, migration flows
past 40-50 years, in which and new breeding grounds for extremism. New concepts are needed to
more than 60% of species turn that tide. The Bardawill & Sinai Initiatives can help restore the
Water 20 – 40 m 1 – 2 m recorded in previous relationship between society and nature, and counter the disruptive
Depth surveys were no longer security effects of our changing climate.”
found (Kamel et al. 2008)
Salinity 1035 1060 Tom Middendorp
kg/m³ kg/m³ Chairman of the International Military Council
on Climate and Security

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