Mankind and Deserts 3 (PDF)

The wild beauty of deserts has always been a source of fascination the
world over. Mankind and Deserts 3 the third and final volume focuses
on wind, frequently present in all deserts, either hot or cold.
Wind plays a major role in aridity and landscapes bear numerous forms
due to its action, erosion, transportation and surface formations, some
discreet and others spectacular, such as vast expanses of towering
yardangs. Aeolian dynamics lead to dune formation, simple or
associated with sand ridges or ergs, as in the Sahara. Mankind has
attempted, to varying degrees of success, to cope with sand
accumulation; ignoring aeolian dynamics has led many development
projects to failure. This is developed by Yann Callot, a Professor at Lyon
University who studied aeolian dynamics in the Sahara.

Traditional
societies have adapted to live in deserts, establishing vibrant
civilizations with original ways of living, managing water resources and
creating routes for trade, especially for salt. In a changing environment,
useful lessons can be drawn from the genius of mankind s adaptation to
such diverse and fragile environments. This is explained by Marc Cote,
who was a Professor at Constantine (Algeria) and Aix-en-Provence
Universities.

From ancient, almost mythical, exploration to modern scientific studies,
deserts have come to be better known yet still hold great appeal. This
book traces the history of their knowledge while providing a basis for
understanding their features and the tools needed for their protection, in
an ever-changing world.