Rural Land Degradation Higher Geography Applications

Key Idea ► Rural land resources are subject to degradation, which may be the result of natural processes, human activity or a combination of both. ► The decline in land productivity & other consequences have led to the development of soil conservation and land management strategies.

What do you need to know? (1) ► The nature and processes of soil erosion and degradation (desertification) and the impact of vegetation removal. ► The effects of climate and its variability on these processes, problems posed by climatic variability in North Africa, the variable movement of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) across Africa north of the Equator and the intensity of rainfall in the tropics.

What do you need to know? (2) ► The modification of ecosystems caused by human activity, deforestation, monoculture, over cultivation, overgrazing, inappropriate cultivation and irrigation techniques. ► The consequences of soil erosion and degradation (deforestation) including the physical impact on the landscape and the climate, social impact on people and economic impact on ways of life.

What do you need to know? (3) ► Specific examples on soil conservation and land management strategies; case studies from the selected areas, eg: Magic Stones (Burkina Faso)

Don’t panic!

Introduction ► Land degradation is most common in Tropical and Sub-Tropical areas (20°-30° North and South of the Equator). ► Degradation occurs mainly on the west sides of continents, where frequent dry winds cause prolonged periods of drought.

Distribution of Principal Areas of Degradation & Desertification

The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that 35% of all land is at risk from degradation.

More than 75 billion tonnes of soil are washed into the sea or swept away by the wind each year and can never be replaced.

6 million tonnes of land is lost to desert each year.

100 countries, 1 in 5 of the world’s population, are affected by land degradation.

Degradation is a global problem.