Desertification Fact Sheet
Definition
The spread of desert-like conditions in semi-aridenvironments or “The making of a desert”.
(A semi-arid area is a dry area, but not as dry as a desert. Aridity is the degree to which an area lacks moisture).
Desertification further explained = A long term change in the characteristics of an area – Plant life, vegetation and soil are changed and impoverished.
Areas of Desertification
Some deserts are bordered by mountains and other geological landforms. In other areas, desert fringes form a gradual transition from a dry to a more humid environment, making it more difficult to define the desert border.
These transition zones have very fragile, delicately balanced ecosystems. Desert fringes often are a mosaic of microclimates. Small hollows support vegetation that picks up heat from the hot winds and protects the land from the prevailing winds. After rainfall the vegetated areas are distinctly cooler than the surroundings. In these marginal areas, human activity may stress the ecosystem beyond its tolerance limit, resulting in degradation of the land – Desertification.
Areas of desertification (from Waugh).
Causes of Desertification in the Sahel Region of Africa.
Climate Change
Lack of Infrastructure
Poor Economy
Poverty
War & Civil Conflict
Physical relief of the Land.
Poor Irrigation
Lack of education and trained farmers. / Disease
Famine – no water = no crops.
War & Civil unrest.
Death
Causes of Famine / Results of Famine
Poverty – People cannot afford to buy food in times of famine and may be forced to eat their own livestock.
Lack of available land – for farmers to grow crops and rear animals.
Population Growth – puts pressure on the land.
Commercial Farming – Increased growth of cash crops have reduced food production in many places.
War & Civil conflict.
Poor Transportation & Infrastructure.
Lack of advice & education.
Expensive seeds and fertilisers.
Over worked land.
Soil erosion.
Overgrazing.
Pollution.
Lack of land to store water supplies (reservoirs).
Climate Change.
Flooding. / Malnutrition – Causes blindness (from lack of vitamin A) / Anaemia (Causes tiredness therefore farmers are less productive, from lack of Iron) / Kwashiorkor (Bloated Stomachs, Lack of Growth, Tiredness) / Morasmus (Diarrhoea).
Poor Economy – Less food for population, therefore population becomes less productive, therefore government gets less taxes from working population.
Disease
Death
Possible War & Conflict.