CS - Desertification Flashcards
Where is the Sahel?
The Sahel is located in the south of the Sahara Desert. It stretches across the entire continent of Africa, passing through many countries such as Niger, Chad and Algeria
What is desertification?
When the climate of a dry region becomes even drier. Vegetation decays or is eaten by grazing animals and the soil is vulnerable to soil erosion
What are some causes of desertification?
Over-Grazing
Global Warming
Overpopulation
Deforestation
What are some impacts of desertification on a local scale?
The increasing amounts of demand for food and pastoral land result in conflict between neighboring tribes as they fight for land that is suitable for their herds to graze. This makes obtaining food a very difficult process for the people living in these areas and can cause deaths amidst the tribes due to the lack of security and safety.
Crop prices also increase as a result of desertification as it is much more difficult to grow these products - this results in people living in urban areas being unable to buy these crops to feed their families
How is desertification managed in the Sahel?
Planting of vegetation: (afforestation)
- Prevents soil erosion (by restoring fertility)
- Improves economy
- Removes C02
Bunds: (small lines of stone that prevent soil from moving)
- Reduce soil erosion
- Increase soil moisture
Tasa’s: (Holes in the ground to capture moisture from precipitation)
- Food and vegetation can be placed in here and thus gets fertilized as a result.
What are the two main issues in the Sahel as a whole?
Lack of water
Soil erosion
What are some solutions to desertification in the Sahel?
- Encouragement of agro-forestry
- Tasa implementation to retain water supplies
- Local villagers have fenced off their villages to prevent sand from being blown in
- The DES (Development Energy Standard) has encouraged people to use alternative sources of fuel such as petrol and gas and are being encouraged to reduce the reliance of fire wood
