The process of Desertification

Desertification Is the process by which land in dryland regions becomes more arid and desert- like. There is no single one cause to desertification; rather an interconnection of many factors including: Human activities Climatic variations 12 million hectares are changed into desert-like environments each year. This area has the potential to produce 20 million tonnes of grains each year.

Environmental Factors The loss of vegetation cover is the main cause of desertification as, in many regions, wood is the main energy source for cooking, heating and construction. In Africa 50-90% of energy is derived from wood clearing. Grazing animals also contribute Deforestation exposes soils to wind and water erosion.

Environmental Factors Prolonged drought contributes to the loss of vegetation and animals and increased peoples vulnerability to poverty. The drought in the Sahel region of Africa, 2014, affected the livelihoods of 20.2 million people Drought does not necessarily cause desertification, however, extended periods of drought and the unsustainable use of the land can contribute to desertification.

Environmental Factors Climate change is compounding the problem. Increased temperatures stress vegetation Changing patterns and distribution of rainfall can further erode fragile soil. Without vegetation, there is lower humidity, fewer clouds, more sun and less precipitation.

Social Factors 2.3 billion people in approximately 100 countries live in drylands. Rapid population growth drives increasing need for dryland ecosystems to provide food, water, animal feed, building materials and fuel wood. In the Sahel region of Africa, the population increased by 30% in 10 years from 2000-2010. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) predicts that the demand for food will increase by 60% by 2050.

To meet this demand, 120 million hectares of land will be needed (greater than Victoria and NSW combined) Unless crop yields or the amount of cultivated land increases or population growth is lessened, then food insecurity may result. Empowering women by ending child marriages, delaying the age of having kids or providing family planning are possible methods to achieve this.

Economic Factors Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of desertification. In places where there are few, if any alternative sources of income to subsistence farming, overgrazing and overcropping often result. Unsustainable farming practices can result in significant land cover change Insert figure 9.11

Overgrazing Allowing too many cattle, sheep or goats to graze in the same area reduces the vegetation cover. Grazing becomes unsustainable when there is insufficient time to allow plants to recover

Overcultivation Occurs when the same land is used repeatedly without the benefit of soil rest and recovery. Soil fertility declines Vegetation fails Land becomes barren and degraded Increasing pressures to produce more food often contributes to this.

Political Factors Many governments are under pressure to provide even the basic human needs. Niger and Mali are examples. Environmental concerns get very little attention or money allocated. Laws are often inappropriate 65% of drylands are also range lands- more suited to grazing than cropping. The Chinese government introduced fences causing an increase in desertification in Inner Mongolia.

Conflict Insert Mail paragraph. Page 128