The 19 lakes of Ounianga in the hyperarid desert of northeastern Chad are the Sahara's most important relic from her early- to mid-Holocene humid past. They constitute a unique hydrological system within an exceptional natural landscape of great beauty with striking colours and shapes.
The intention of the endeavours for conservation was to return something to the host country for the hospitality and excellent research opportunities in one of the least studied places on Earth by leaving more than scientific papers after the end of fieldwork in this outstanding area and to preserve it for future generations.
This success would not have been possible without the decade-long research and support by project A2 and its predecessors at the University of Cologne, all funded by the DFG, and the crucial cooperation and engagement of our counterpart institution, the Centre National d'Appui à la Recherche (CNAR) through its director Dr. Baba Mallaye.