The Sahel is a hot part of Africa that has a long and intense dry season. It is a series of grasslands, deserts, and dry forests that stretches across West Africa from Senegal to the Central African Republic.
Niger is the heart of the Sahel. This country experiences long heat waves with temperatures regularly above 45 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit).
Urban forests are very important in Niger and the Sahel. Urban forests are the trees that grow in cities. These urban trees help cool down cities and reduce air pollution.
Trees growing in schoolyards in Niger’s two largest cities, Niamey and Maradi, show the value of urban forests. A study of green spaces across 60 schools in Niamey and Maradi found that trees in schools help cool the schools.
There are many other benefits of trees in schoolyards. Shaded areas under trees can be used as classrooms, especially where school buildings are overcrowded or do not exist. Students can learn about plants and how they grow. And fruit trees like mango, guava, or moringa can provide school meals.
“Trees in schools mean a lot of things for the students. First of all, there are fruit trees which allow us to eat from them, like mangoes. Personally, I eat these fruits at school. Also, students can sit under those trees to rest when they don’t have classes,” said Almoustapha Souley Bilali, a student from the School of Communication and Media Sciences in Niamey.
David Brown adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on an article by Victoria Schneider, published on Mongabay News.
