Desertification

• Desertification is when land becomes drier and degraded, as a result of climate change or human activities, or both.
• Climate change increases rate of desertification as hotter and drier conditions are increasing the risk of land turning to desert
• Removal of trees for fuel increases the rate of desertification a cutting down trees to use the wood for fuel leads to roots dying and then soil erosion
• Overgrazing increases the rate of decertification as soil becomes bare as the result of vegetation being removed by grazing animals causing soil erosion and soil is compacted making rock impermeable
• Over-cultivation increases the rate of desertification as farming becomes more intensive which means the land has less chance to recover causing it to become infertile
• Population growth leads to desertification as rising population puts a great demand on resources
• Tree planting can decrease desertification as roots can hold soil in place
• Water and soil management can decrease desertification as planting and harvesting appropriate crops ensure the soil can recover and small-scale irrigation projects, such as catching and storing rainwater and using sprinklers to irrigate the land
• Appropriate technology is technology that is suited to the needs, skills, resources, knowledge and wealth of local people in the environment in which they live