1. Desertification – Conflict in the Desert
Adapted from Chesterton Community College – Desertification Project PP

2. The Sahara is Taking Over
Janjaweed
The Janjaweed are from Darfur, why would people from Darfur turn on their own people?
The Sahara is Taking Over
the Good Land!

3. What is Desertification?
Desertification occurs when land is turned into desert.
It occurs in semi-arid lands which border the world’s major deserts.

4. Why is Africa at Risk?
The Sahel region borders
the Sahara desert!

5. Desertification Animation

6. Natural Reasons for Desertification in the Sahel
1950’s and 60’s – Above average rainfall, which caused nomadic herders to settle and farmers to farm more land.
1970’s – Below average rainfall led to extreme drought .

7. Physical Signs of Desertification
Loss of plants and animals
Cracked, baked soil
Growth of desert
Flash floods

8. Human Causes of Land Degradation
Desertification is caused by climate change
Land Degradation is caused by humans
Overgrazing
Cutting Down Trees
Intense Farming

9. Overgrazing
Nomadic tribes (like ones in Darfur) settle in one area and let their animals eat all of the vegetation.
The vegetation no longer protects the soil.

10. Deforestation (Cutting down trees)
Trees provided protection for the soil from wind and rain.

11. Intense Farming
Growing crops for cash too fast makes the soil break down.

12. Solutions to Land Degradation and Desertification
Planting trees
Creating terraces to slow down water run off
Magic Stones – Set up rows of stones to block wind and water erosion