Chad, a landlocked country located in North Central Africa, is known for its diverse landscapes and ecosystems, stretching from the Sahara Desert in the north to the lush Sudanian savannas in the south. Despite its vast size, covering about 1.28 million km² (396,913 mi²), Chad’s harsh climatic conditions and geographical features present unique challenges and opportunities for its biodiversity. Several distinct regions mark its geography. The northern part of the country is dominated by the Sahara Desert, featuring vast, arid landscapes with little vegetation.

Moving south, the terrain shifts into the Sahelian belt, where sparse grasslands and acacia trees are more common, serving as a transition zone between the desert and more fertile regions. Further south lies the Sudanian Savanna, characterized by denser vegetation and seasonal wetlands, including parts of the extensive Lake Chad Basin, which is crucial for both human and animal populations.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	57.7	96	N/A
Land Management	64	40	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	48	120	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	32	149	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	79	8	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	27	126	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	97	6	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	81	8	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	92	42	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	78	127	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	56	4	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)
Depleted Fisheries
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas
Invasive Species Pressure	99	16	N/A
Capacity and Governance	53	156	N/A
Total Management Cost	95	96	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	36	125	N/A
Conservation Legislation	59	25	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	10	161	N/A
Control of Corruption	20	172	N/A
Government Effectiveness	22	164	N/A
Future Trends	21	172	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	21	172	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

Chad prioritizes biodiversity conservation through the establishment of diverse protected areas, including 10 classified forests, 3 national parks, 7 wildlife reserves, and 1 biosphere reserve. These areas serve to safeguard vulnerable species and their habitats across various ecosystems, ranging from the Sahara Desert to the Sudano-Sahelian savannas.

By preserving its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, Chad’s protected areas play a vital role in sustainable conservation efforts. Collaboration with international organizations like African Parks enhances management strategies, promoting both conservation and community development initiatives.

Threats to Biodiversity

Biodiversity loss in Chad is exacerbated by recurring droughts, desertification, soil degradation, and pollution from mining activities, notably in the petroleum sector. Overexploitation of biological resources, driven by extreme poverty, demographic pressures, and poorly managed pastoral systems, further exacerbates the situation, alongside deforestation, land clearing, and bushfires for agriculture. Intensive farming and rapid conversion of land to croplands, coupled with unsustainable fishing practices, also contribute significantly.

Soil degradation stems from various factors, including trampling, overgrazing, and bushfires, with climate change and population growth exacerbating desertification. Limited financial resources, expertise, and infrastructure hinder comprehensive research and monitoring efforts, while weak environmental governance exacerbates the challenges.

Capacity and Governance

Chad has demonstrated a strong commitment to biodiversity conservation through various policies and strategies, notably its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) coordinated by the National High Committee on the Environment. The NBSAP outlines five strategic objectives aimed at enhancing biodiversity knowledge, conserving ecosystems and species, promoting sustainable resource use, and implementing benefit-sharing mechanisms.

Additionally, the government’s Environmental Protection Policy emphasizes responsible implementation of international conventions, including those related to biodiversity. Law 14 mandates environmental and social assessments for all initiatives, including those under REDD+, with national standards ensuring compliance with legislation and international agreements.

Future Trends

“Vision 2030: Chad’s Biodiversity Ambitions” encapsulates Chad’s forward-looking goals for biodiversity preservation, emphasizing the continuation of effective endeavors while adjusting strategies to tackle evolving challenges. Engaging in the Great Green Wall initiative, with its ambitious goal of restoring 100 million hectares (1 million km²) of degraded land across Africa by 2030, underscores Chad’s dedication to fostering regional environmental collaboration.

Biodiversity

The northern part of Chad is dominated by the Sahara Desert, one of the harshest environments on Earth. Despite the extreme aridity, this region is home to a variety of specialized species adapted to desert conditions. Key species include the addax and the scimitar-horned oryx, both critically endangered and adapted to survive in arid environments. The desert also supports smaller mammals, reptiles, and a variety of insects. Plant life in this region includes hardy shrubs, grasses, and acacias that can withstand prolonged drought.

Despite the harsh conditions, Chad boasts significant biodiversity. The country is home to several large mammal species, including elephants, lions, and a variety of antelope, which roam the savannas and grasslands. The critically endangered West African crocodile still exists in small numbers in the country’s northern desert areas. Lake Chad is especially important for biodiversity; it supports numerous fish species, provides habitat for hundreds of bird species, and is a vital water source for wildlife and human agriculture.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Chad only):