1. Eleanor McKnight, Nicole Petry, Marquis Dixon, Steven Cao
Desertification
Eleanor McKnight, Nicole Petry, Marquis Dixon, Steven Cao

2. A land slowly becoming a desert, usually due to human causes
What is it?
A land slowly becoming a desert, usually due to human causes

3. Causes of Desertification
Overgrazing
-People fence their animals, causing less space and more animals in one area.
-People have a steady supply of food so they do not need to move as much to get resulting in overgrazing.

4. Extended periods of time with less than normal rainfall
Extended periods of time with less than normal rainfall. It damages vegetation.
Drought
War
War causes refugees to move into marginal land. Because of this the new fresh land is destroyed.

5. Destruction of Plants in Dry Region
People cut down trees to use them as fuel. Then, there is nothing left to protect the soil.
A solution is to let average land replenish before farming

6. Farming of Average Land
-Farmers clear average land and use it, taking way the richness of soil. By letting average land replenish before farming with can prevent this.

7. Effects of Desertification

8. Soil being less usable
The soil can be blown away by wind or washed away by rain.
Nutrients in the soil can be removed by wind or water.
Salt can build up in the soil which makes it harder for plant growth

9. People near affected areas
Desertification can cause flooding, poor water quality, dust storm and pollution.
All of these effects hurt people living near affected region

10. Vegetation is lacked or damaged
Loosened soiled may bury plants or leave their roots exposed.
Also when overgrazing occurs, plants species may be lost.
Drought and poor land
management contribute
to famine.
If the Population is growing,
this will cause economic problems and starvation

11. Short term effects of Desertification in Sahel
Soil loses its nutrients which makes it not useful
Overgrazing destroys vegetation and without it erosion occurs
Land becomes salty which
makes it difficult to grow
crops
Map of Sahel

12. Long term effects of Desertification in Sahel
People die of starvation
Cattle die of starvation
The soil becomes completely useless

13. Solutions Water Conservation Planting shrubs and trees “San d Fences”
Through irrigation systems, water can easily access the wildlife
Planting shrubs and trees
“San d Fences”
Fences of wood that move
the sand into another area
They help stop the
accumulation of a desert
Set regulations on ff- road vehicles

14. Preventing Desertification
Soil erosion must be prevented, which can be done by placing boulders and/or planting plants.
Overgrazing of plants are damaging to the ecosystem and must be addressed.

15. Other Notes
Water is absolutely necessary in order to green a desert and combat desertification. Careful irrigation is essential.
It is almost always best that the local people combat desertification in their own areas as to be more efficient and less costly.
People need to be given some kind of benefit for combating desertification.

16. China’s “Great Green Wall”
Largest tree-planting program of its kind in the world.
The “Wall” will get to 5,700 km by 2050
400million hectacres
42% of China’s
landmass

17. Bibliography http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/deserts/desertification/
scalloway.org.uk/phye4.htm
desertification.tripod.com/id3.html