Why is soil erosion a serious challenge in Cabo Verde?

Soil erosion is a significant challenge in Cabo Verde due to a combination of environmental factors and historical land-use practices.

The archipelago’s geography makes it highly susceptible to both wind and water erosion. The eastern islands are characterized by flat, sandy terrain heavily eroded by wind. On the more mountainous islands, the soil is generally shallow, coarse, and rocky, lacking the humus necessary to stabilize the land.1

When precipitation occurs, it often arrives as torrential downpours that cause severe water erosion and flooding. These natural vulnerabilities were historically exacerbated by poor grazing practices for livestock and a lack of reforestation and water conservation efforts during the period of Portuguese colonialism.12

To address these ecological challenges, post-independence governments have implemented nationwide campaigns to curb erosion, which include:
* Promoting reforestation by planting drought-resistant acacia trees.12
* Constructing dikes, retaining dams, and terracing to improve water retention and protect the soil.2