desertification

• Desertification


  The degradation of land making it drier and less productive
• One third of the Earth is at risk of desertification
• Desertification process


  1. Vegetation dies or is removed

  2. Exposed soil is easily removed by wind or water

  3. Nutrients in the soil are lost making it unproductive
• Main causes of desertification

  • Climate change
  • Human activities
• Climate change causes


  • Reduced rainfall in already dry areas
  • Increased global temperatures causing more water evaporation
• Human activities causes


  • Removal of fuel wood
  • Overgrazing
  • Over cultivation
• Strategies to reduce desertification

  • Water management
  • Tree planting
  • Soil management
  • Appropriate technology
• Water management


  • Growing crops that need little water
  • Using drip irrigation instead of surface irrigation
• Tree planting


  • Trees act as windbreaks
  • Trees stabilize roots and prevent deserts from encroaching
  • Trees provide shade to reduce evaporation
• Soil management


  • Leaving areas of land to rest between grazing or planting
  • Rotating crops that take different nutrients
• Appropriate technology


  • Using cheap, sustainable and easily available materials
  • Building things that are easy for locals to maintain