Niger, a landlocked country situated in West Africa, derives its name from the Niger River, which flows through the southwestern part of the country. The landscape of Niger is diverse and dominated by the Sahara Desert in the north, characterized by vast expanses of sand dunes and rocky plateaus. This arid region hosts a limited array of wildlife, primarily resilient reptiles and small mammals adapted to the harsh desert conditions. Transitioning southward, the central Sahel region, a semi-arid belt, presents a mix of shrubs and acacia trees, which have adapted to the dry environment. The Sahel serves as a critical ecological zone, supporting a more varied array of fauna, including antelopes, lions, and elephants, particularly near water sources like the Niger River.

Further south, the environment becomes progressively more hospitable with savannah grasslands and patches of woodland, benefiting from greater rainfall. This region supports a richer biodiversity and is crucial for agriculture, which forms the backbone of Niger’s economy. Despite its natural beauty and diversity, Niger faces severe environmental challenges. The process of desertification is advancing, turning fertile land into desert, exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable land use practices. Water scarcity is another critical issue, impacting both human populations and wildlife, especially in the arid northern and central parts.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	55.60	86	N/A
Land Management	66	31	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	57	102	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	37	130	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	86	3	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	28	124	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	89	12	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	85	3	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	91	54	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	77	15	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	91	86	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	98	34	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	34	55	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	0	39	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas
Invasive Species Pressure	70	156	N/A
Capacity and Governance	51	164	N/A
Total Management Cost	94	104	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	31	140	N/A
Conservation Legislation	20	169	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	38	114	N/A
Government Effectiveness	38	118	N/A
Future Trends	19	173	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	19	173	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

Niger currently has seven protected areas that cover 14.29% of the country’s territory. Management units are in place for all these areas, with a co-management approach implemented in five of them, along with a specific management plan for Park W. Additionally, a management agreement is in effect for the Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve, and there are developed management plans for various wetlands. The National Nature Reserve of Termit and Tin Toumma has also been established.

In total, Niger hosts 12 designated Ramsar sites, recognizing their importance as wetlands of international significance. In terms of urban and peri-urban forestry, numerous plantations have been established, including the Niamey Green Belt, which spans 2,500 hectares (25 km²). These initiatives have been undertaken by the state, local communities, various projects (including private ones), and often involve local populations.

Threats to Biodiversity

Threats to Niger’s biodiversity come from both human activities and natural factors. Human-related threats encompass poor agricultural practices, poaching, habitat degradation or destruction, wildlife overexploitation, and pollution. On the natural side, threats primarily stem from climatic challenges linked to decreasing rainfall levels, recurrent droughts, uneven rainfall distribution, and extreme temperatures.

Capacity and Governance

Law No. 98-07, enacted on April 29, 1998, regulates hunting and establishes wildlife protection as a foundational principle in Niger. This law details hunting practices, various permit categories, user rights, and the protection of wildlife, property, and individuals. It explicitly bans hunting in national parks, wildlife reserves, and any sanctuaries that may be established within the country for wildlife protection and management purposes. Additionally, it sets up a wildlife management fund, outlining the management practices and the allocation of revenues from wildlife-related activities. In 2010, Niger further strengthened its environmental legislative framework by adopting an Ordinance on the Water Code, which includes measures for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Future Trends

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) of Niger presents a detailed strategy for preserving and sustainably using the nation’s diverse biological resources. This plan targets several issues such as climate change, land degradation, and unsustainable exploitation of resources. It highlights the need for incorporating biodiversity conservation into multiple sectors like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, advocating for sustainable practices, enhanced capacity building, and active community involvement. Additionally, the NBSAP focuses on strengthening protected areas, as well as boosting research and monitoring efforts.

Biodiversity

Niger hosts a surprising variety of biodiversity adapted to its unique environments. The country’s ecosystems range from the Sahara Desert in the north to the Sahelian savannas in the south, each supporting distinct communities of flora and fauna. In the northern region, the Sahara Desert dominates, with its expansive sand dunes and rocky plateaus. While this area appears barren, it supports specialized wildlife such as the addax and the Dorcas gazelle, both of which are adapted to extreme arid conditions. These species, along with desert reptiles and a variety of bird species, have evolved to survive in the harsh desert climate.

The Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are located in the central part of Niger and represent a unique desert ecosystem. These reserves protect critical habitats for the endangered West African giraffe and the Barbary sheep. The Aïr Mountains, rising from the desert, create a microclimate that supports pockets of vegetation, providing a refuge for wildlife and a diversity of plant species not found elsewhere in the surrounding desert.

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 Niger only):