The intensive collection of wood for fuel in the Sahel region during the 1980s led to significant degradation of acacia and other savanna woodlands. This practice not only reduced tree cover but also impacted local biodiversity and ecosystem services. The loss of these woodlands highlights the need for sustainable resource management to balance human needs with environmental conservation.

The loss of Sahel woodlands for fuelwood in 1980 echoed in Sahelian poetry that explored themes of desertification and changes in pastoral life. Poets like Amadou Hampâté Bâ and Mariama Bâ articulated the struggles of communities adapting to their shifting environments.