Desertification - causes and prevention strategies
desertificationThe spread of desert conditions in arid regions due to human activities, drought or climate change. is the process of land turning into desert as the quality of the soil declines over time. The main causes of desertification include:
- Population growth - the population in some desert areas is increasing. In places where there are developments in mining and tourism, people are attracted by jobs. An increased population is putting greater pressure on the environment for resources such as wood and water.
- Removal of wood - in developing countries, people use wood for cooking. As the population in desert areas increases, there is a greater need for fuel wood. When the land is cleared of trees, the roots of the trees no longer hold the soil together so it is more vulnerable to soil erosionWhen earth is washed or blown away..
- overgrazingWhen land cannot sustain the number of animals that are feeding from it. - an increasing population results in larger desert areas being farmed. Sheep, cattle and goats are overgrazing the vegetation. This leaves the soil exposed to erosion.
- Soil erosion - this is made worse by overgrazing and the removal of wood. Population growth is the primary cause of soil erosion.
- climate changeThe long-term alteration of weather patterns. - the global climate is getting warmer. In desert regions conditions are not only getting warmer but drier too. On average there is less rain now in desert regions than there was 50 years ago.
Strategies to reduce desertification
Desertification can be reduced by adopting the following strategies:
- Planting more trees - the roots of trees hold the soil together and help to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain.
- Improving the quality of the soil - this can be managed by encouraging people to reduce the number of grazing animals they have and grow crops instead. The animal manure can be used to fertilise the crops grown. Growing crops in this way can improve the quality of the soil as it is held together by the roots of plants and protected from erosion. This type of farming is more sustainableAn activity which does not consume or destroy resources or the environment..
- Water management - water can be stored in earth damA dam made of earth. Earth is used to create a circular hollow to store rain water. in the wet season and used to irrigate crops during the dry season. This is an example of using appropriate technologySimple equipment and technology that the local people are able to use easily and without much cost. to manage water supplies in the desert environment.