1. Losing to the desert: Drought and Desertification Chapter 17

2. TermMeaning Desertification Drought Sahara Sahel Population growth Overgrazed Over-cultivated Famines Migrate Irrigation Drought- resistant

3. TermMeaning Desertification The process by which land turns into desert Drought Long rainless periods of time Sahara The largest desert in Africa Sahel An area of land across Africa just south of the Sahara desert Population growth The number of people in an area increasing due to high birth rates and improved health care. Overgrazed When animals eat grass too quickly for the land to recover. Over-cultivated The growing and sowing of crops too quickly to allow the land to recover. Famines When crops fail, people starve and many die Migrate When people move from one place to another Irrigation The artificial watering of land Drought-resistant Crops that can survive long periods of time without water