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African Water Development Report 2006 - United Nations Economic ...

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past few decades, population density is still lowand distribution over land areas is uneven (Seefigure 6.11). Mean population density in 1995was 24.8 per sq. km (for comparison, the populationdensity in Europe exceeds 100 persons persq. km). Population distribution mainly dependson physiography (e. g., deserts and tropical rainforests are poorly inhabited), and on historical andsocio-economic conditions (Shiklomanov, 2002).In many countries, population density is less than15 persons per sq. km; in some countries (Botswana,Namibia, Mauritania, Western Sahara) itequals 2-3 persons per sq. km. The highest density(200-600 persons per sq. km) is observed in smallisland countries (e.g., Mauritius), in small countriesin East Africa (Burundi, Rwanda), in thecoastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, maritimeplains and industrial mining regions in South Africa.Nigeria’s population growth trend is shownin Table 6.8.Protecting Ecosystems in AfricaFig. 6.11: Subregional Population Density50Density - Persons/sq. m403020100Sub RegionsThe high population density is also observed inrare oases in deserts; in the Nile River Valley itattains 1500 persons per sq. km. In the face of agrowing population and ever-changing technologicaladvances, pressures on biological diversity aremounting. Activities focusing on the sustainablemanagement of biological diversity must thereforeinclude socio-economic issues. This impliesinter-sectoral cooperation and decentralization ofmanagement to the lowest level appropriate, equitableand gender sensitive distribution of benefits,and the use of adaptive management toolsand policies to deal with uncertainties as modifiedin light of experience and changing conditions. Astudy of the carrying capacity of land in developingcountries compared Africa’s projected futurepopulation with its food production potential(FAO 1982). According to the study, the numberof countries that will be unable to feed themselvesfrom home production using the present low levelof inputs will rise from 22 out of 49 in 1975 to32 by the end of the 20th century and to 35 bythe year 2025. In countries with limited cultivableland and high population growth rates - such asKenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Burundi, and Rwanda -fallow periods are no longer sufficient to allow soilfertility to be restored, with the result that cropyields have fallen. In response, farmers have beenforced either to bring increasingly marginal landsinto cultivation, or to migrate into tropical forestareas, exacerbating problems of land degradationand deforestation.Today’s agricultural systems are changing rapidlyand must be able to draw on a wide range ofhigher inputs and genetic resources in order todevelop harmoniously. Most countries of the Saheland mountainous East Africa will face severeproblems if new innovative inputs are not introducedinto food production. Ethiopia’s 1983147

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