southward. In contrast, Namibia is situated on the Atlantic southwestern coast of
Africa, along which the cold Benguela Current flows northward (Britannica Online
2010; Readers Digest Atlas of the World 1991).
In Madagascar the annual rainfall varies from \500 mm in the southwest to
levels exceeding 2,500 mm at high elevations (Elouard and Gibon 2003). Air
temperatures in the dry southwest vary from 20 to 27 °C (Jury 2003). The
Namibian climate is influenced by the cold Bengula Current (Seely, unpublished
report). Humidity at the coast is high and average temperatures are moderate
(17.3 °C: South African Weather Bureau 1990), although temperatures above
30 °C can occur during easterly ‘‘bergwind’’ conditions (Seely unpublished
T
Fig. 13.2 Madagascar
landforms showing elevation
and large river deltas on
coast. The label T shows the
approximate position of the
Toliara Sands mine site
13 Restoration of Dune Ecosystems Following Mining in Madagascar and Namibia
201
Africa, along which the cold Benguela Current flows northward (Britannica Online
2010; Readers Digest Atlas of the World 1991).
In Madagascar the annual rainfall varies from \500 mm in the southwest to
levels exceeding 2,500 mm at high elevations (Elouard and Gibon 2003). Air
temperatures in the dry southwest vary from 20 to 27 °C (Jury 2003). The
Namibian climate is influenced by the cold Bengula Current (Seely, unpublished
report). Humidity at the coast is high and average temperatures are moderate
(17.3 °C: South African Weather Bureau 1990), although temperatures above
30 °C can occur during easterly ‘‘bergwind’’ conditions (Seely unpublished
T
Fig. 13.2 Madagascar
landforms showing elevation
and large river deltas on
coast. The label T shows the
approximate position of the
Toliara Sands mine site
13 Restoration of Dune Ecosystems Following Mining in Madagascar and Namibia
201