the sahara

• where is the sahara located?

  covers 3000 miles of north africa (11 countries)
• what are the temperatures like?

  40° at day

  below freezing at night
• what does the temperatures restrict?

  economic development
• what is the rainfall?

  <250mm - limited water supply
• why does the sahara have poor accessibility?

  limited roads - hard to transport goods (5 days)
• how many tourists?

  14 million visit egyption pyramids
• what did morocco build?

  the worlds largest solar panel farm
• what are camels adaptations?

  long eyelashes (sand storms)

  fatty hump (warmth for night - shade for day)

  padded feet (protected from hot sand)
• what are cactuses advantages?

  deep roots (reaching for water + nutrients)

  spikes (defending from animals)
• Where is the Sahel located?

  South of the Sahara Desert
• What does the Sahel stretch across?

  From the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea
• What is desertification?

  Process where fertile land becomes desert
• What causes desertification?

  Climate change, deforestation, and poor land management
• How does overgrazing cause desertification?

  It leads to fewer plant roots, causing erosion
• What happens when too many cattle and sheep graze?

  Plants are eaten faster than they can grow
• How does collecting fuelwood contribute to desertification?

  It removes vegetation, exposing soil to erosion
• Why do locals cut down trees for firewood?

  To cook and stay warm
• How does population growth contribute to desertification?

  It increases demand for food, firewood, and farmland
• What is overcultivation?

  Growing crops repeatedly in the same area
• How does overcultivation lead to desertification?

  It reduces soil nutrients, making land vulnerable
• What cycle does overcultivation create?

  A cycle of decline in land productivity
• How do solar cookers help reduce desertification?

  They use the sun’s energy to cook food
• What is the impact of using solar cookers on trees?

  It reduces the need for firewood, preserving trees
• What role do tree roots play in preventing erosion?

  They hold the soil together
• How do stone lines help prevent desertification?

  They trap water and encourage infiltration
• What are the benefits of keeping soil moist with stone lines?

  It reduces wind erosion and prevents soil loss
• What is the Great Green Wall project?

  It is an 8,000 km long tree planting initiative
• How many trees have been planted in the Great Green Wall project?

  11.4 million trees
• How do tree roots contribute to soil stability in the Great Green Wall?

  They bind the soil together
• What effect do leaves from trees have on the ground temperature?

  They provide shade and keep it cooler
• What is soil management in the context of desertification?

  It involves techniques to protect soil from erosion
• What is crop rotation?

  Letting the land rest by alternating crops
• What type of crops are grown to resist drought?

  Drought-resistant crops like olives
• How does the Niger Drip Irrigation Programme help fight desertification?

  It uses solar-powered drip irrigation to conserve water
• What is the effect of the Niger Drip Irrigation Programme on soil erosion?

  It reduces soil erosion by preventing excess water
• Why is the Sahara difficult to access?

  Due to its vast size and harsh conditions
• How much does it cost to build pipelines in the Sahara?

  $13 million
• How long does it take to build pipelines in the Sahara?

  5 days
• What happens to roads in extreme heat in the Sahara?

  They melt
• How do sandstorms affect transport in the Sahara?

  They cover paths, making transport slow