Mauritania, a West African nation situated in the Sahel-Saharan region between Senegal and Western Sahara, has faced three prolonged periods of drought in the past 25 years. With about 80 to 85% of its land being arid, Mauritania comprises four main ecological zones, each with its unique potential and wildlife.

While it may seem that deserts lack life, every environment, no matter how seemingly mediocre, provides a habitat for various plants and animals adapted to its conditions. Historically, Mauritania was home to diverse wildlife, but due to prolonged drought and human activities, except for birds, the country’s fauna has significantly declined over time.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	46.9	170	N/A
Land Management	45	140	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	2	175	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	21	175	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	63	56	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	13	62	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	28	124	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	92	11	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	58	131	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	94	21	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	38	132	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	72	138	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	68	124	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	53	10	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	0	39	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	80	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	99	28	N/A
Capacity and Governance	59	123	N/A
Total Management Cost	100	14	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	16	173	N/A
Conservation Legislation	79	4	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	30	124	N/A
Control of Corruption	34	131	N/A
Government Effectiveness
Future Trends	25	169	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	25	169	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

Mauritania is home to several protected areas, encompassing national parks and nature reserves, with the most prominent being the Banc d’Arguin National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additional protected areas include the Diawling National Park, Aïric-el-Erg Natural Reserve, and Guelb er Richat Nature Reserve. In 2021, a new protected area spanning over 1 million hectares was established in the Adrar region, harboring diverse species, including the critically endangered addax antelope. This initiative marks a significant effort in combating desertification and preserving biodiversity in Mauritania.

These protected areas play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s biodiversity, offering habitats for various species, including endangered ones like the addax antelope, scimitar-horned oryx, and dama gazelle. Additionally, they contribute to the preservation of vital ecosystems, such as coastal wetlands and the Sahara Desert.

Threats to Biodiversity

The primary risks to land ecosystems include overgrazing, excessive harvesting of forest resources, habitat fragmentation, poaching, climate change, wildfires, urban expansion, salinization, erosion, invasion by non-native species, and activities like mining and oil extraction. Coastal ecosystems face threats such as overfishing, urban development, poaching, and climate change, while marine ecosystems are at risk from overfishing, destructive fishing practices, pollution, and climate change.

Capacity and Governance

Preserving natural resources and advancing renewable energy sources stand as key national priorities in Mauritania. A recent workshop convened stakeholders and decision-makers to underscore the consequences of inaction regarding biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, a study was conducted to assess the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The Mauritanian Government is actively promoting research initiatives encompassing the nation’s carbon stocks, Payment for Environmental Services (PES), and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Collaborating with the Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice) and the National Centre on Agronomic Research and Agricultural Development (CNRADA), efforts are underway to gather and characterize rice varieties resilient to cold and salinity, including testing 18 hybrid rice strains. Additionally, endeavors in fish farming and aquaculture are being pursued through various projects.

Future Trends

Introduced in 2019, the NAP seeks to assist Mauritania in adapting to climate change and its effects on biodiversity, encompassing concerns like desertification and biodiversity loss. Launched in 2021, the recent establishment of a protected area will connect two vital biodiversity locations in Mauritania, aiming to safeguard endangered species and their habitats while providing insights for forthcoming conservation endeavors. This strategy was designed to uphold the ecosystem functions in Mauritania, emphasizing biodiversity preservation and sustainable natural resource utilization. Although the strategy has concluded, its objectives and acquired knowledge persistently shape future biodiversity initiatives.

Biodiversity

The majority of Mauritania is covered by the Sahara Desert, featuring expansive sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and sparse vegetation. This harsh environment supports specialized wildlife adapted to extreme conditions. Notable desert species include the addax, a critically endangered antelope, the fennec fox, and various reptiles such as the desert monitor lizard. The desert flora consists of drought-resistant plants like acacias and hardy shrubs that can survive prolonged periods without water.

Mauritania’s Atlantic coastline spans over 700 km (435 miles) and includes diverse marine and coastal habitats such as sandy beaches, estuaries, and extensive mudflats. The Banc d’Arguin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most important coastal wetlands in West Africa. This park is a crucial breeding and stopover site for millions of migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and terns. The rich marine environment supports a variety of fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals such as dolphins and the West African manatee.

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 Mauritania only):