Mankind and Deserts 2

The wild beauty of deserts has always been a source of fascination the
world over. Mankind and Deserts 2 the second of three volumes
focuses on water, its absence or indeed its extreme scarcity, as well as
on the ways in which salts come to be formed in areas such as these.

Aridity of the climate does not exclude rainfall, after which deserts
flourish; wet mists, dew, exceptional events separated by years of total
drought. Water flows into temporary and disorganized networks but,
occasionally, large rivers cross the deserts, giving rise to vibrant
civilizations: the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates, Niger, to name a few.
Temporary or permanent lakes collect water in basins without outlet to
the ocean, referred to as endorrheic basins, such as Lake Chad. This
results in salt accumulation and evaporitic formations. A large variety of
salts crystallize, in addition to halite, among which is potash. Halite
common salt is an essential resource and its trade leads to the creation
of salt caravans, used to exchange it with gold, even on a 1-1 weight
basis, generating subsequent wealth.

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.