The Sahel[p] is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of
transition between the Sahara desert in the North and the
Sudanian Savannas in the south, having a semi-arid climate. It
stretches across the north of the African continent between the
Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea. The Arabic word sāḥil (ساحل)
literally means "shore, coast" as describing the appearance of
the vegetation of the Sahel as a coastline which delimits the
sand of the Sahara. Flora and fauna  The Sahel is mostly covered
in grassland and savanna, with areas of woodland and shrubland.
Grass cover is fairly continuous across the region, dominated by
annual grass species such as Cenchrus biflorus, Schoenefeldia
gracilis, and Aristida stipoides. Species of acacia are the
dominant trees, with Acacia tortilis the most common, along with
Acacia senegal and Acacia laeta. Other tree species include
Commiphora africana, Balanites aegyptiaca, Faidherbia albida,
and Boscia senegalensis. In the northern part of the Sahel,
areas of desert shrub, including