The Site, a complex of oases between two deserts – the Erg du Ténéré to the west and the Erg de Bilma to the south and east – lies along the ancient trans-Saharan desert route linking Algeria and Libya with Lake Chad. It is one of the last remaining areas in Niger where different varieties of productive and prized date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) can be found. It is a refuge for a range of mammals including the Cape hare Lepus Capensis, the golden jackal Canis aureus, the vulnerable Dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas and the Barbary sheep Ammotragus lervia. This biological diversity is potentially threatened by oil exploration and the phenomenon of climate change. The oasis is essential for the local population, which practices subsistence agriculture in small fields around the oases, growing vegetables and fruit which contribute to families’ income. They also harvest dates, which are exchanged for cereals, and salt from small salt pans found in the area. Sand deposition and soil salinization are the main threats: windbreaks are seen as the solution to reduce sand deposition, and there are plans to restore degraded palm plantations and improve agricultural techniques to reduce damage to the environment. Local NGOs and technicians have worked to raise awareness of these threats.