9. Dune Fields on the Plains of Northern Nigeria

The presence of large areas covered by sand dunes on the plains of northern Nigeria has attracted considerable attention over the years due to the unique and spectacular pattern they form on the landscape. The dominantly linear dunes are relict from the Quaternary period when the climate of northern Nigeria was drier. Today, the dunes are found in areas that receive as much as 1000 mm of rainfall per year. The dunes were first recognized on aerial photographs and later using satellite imagery. The history of the dunes has been further deciphered by the application of luminescence techniques to directly date periods of their formation. In recent years, remote sensing technology has enabled better identification of not only the major units but also the main features. Though degraded, the dunes nonetheless form a distinct and prominent feature on the plains. Besides their significance as a major tourist attraction from within and outside the region, the dunes contain fossil biota that has been used to reconstruct past hydrology and vegetation communities as well as serve as information on the paleoclimatology and paleobotany of the region.