Parc national du banc d'Arguin

Located off the coast of Mauritania in West Africa, this natural site encompasses a vast marine and terrestrial ecosystem centred around a shallow sandbank. The park comprises islands, sandbanks, and surrounding waters that form a critical habitat for numerous species of migratory birds, marine mammals, and fish populations. The site's ecological significance lies in its role as a crucial stopover and breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of wading birds and waterfowl that migrate along the Atlantic Flyway between Europe and Africa. The shallow waters and nutrient-rich environment support productive fishing grounds and sustain complex food webs dependent on the region's unique hydrological conditions. Vegetation is sparse due to the arid climate, with the landscape characterised by low-lying sandy islands and extensive tidal flats that are regularly submerged. The park represents an important example of a coastal wetland ecosystem in the Saharan zone and faces ongoing challenges from fishing pressures, climate variation, and human activity.