The hidden oases of the Sahara where life finds a way
The Green Past beneath the Sand
A long, long time ago, the Sahara was a totally different place – lush with rivers, forests, and wildlife like giraffes, hippos, and elephants. Nowadays, it may seem like a dry desert, but underground aquifers still keep some spots green and full of life. These hidden reservoirs are the heart of modern oases.
Canyons and Wadis: Corridors of Life
The canyons of the Sahara, shaped by ancient rivers, provide shelter from the blazing sun and a source of sustenance. In the dry riverbeds called wadis, underground water flows persist, keeping surface aquifers alive. These natural wonders, like the Dades and Ziz wadis in Morocco or the Hadramaut in Yemen, have allowed villages and palm groves to flourish amidst the rocky landscape. Local communities have ingeniously constructed drainage tunnels to guide water and even capture nighttime condensation to maintain moisture.
How a Forest Forms in the Desert
In places like the Gorgo de Dades, where rocky walls provide shade, a unique ecosystem thrives. Date palms create a canopy that cools the ground and protects other crops like olive trees, figs, and apricots. Below, vegetables and cereals flourish. Oases such as Siwa in Egypt have natural springs that form small lakes, allowing Mediterranean species like the Tassili cypress and oleander to adapt and survive.
