desertification

Question 1

erosion

Answer 1

the wearing away and removal of material by a moving force, such as water

Question 2

desertification

Answer 2

the spread of dessert conditions into what were previously semi-arid areas

Question 3

arid

Answer 3

dry

Question 4

why are arid regions at more risk of desertification?

Answer 4

there is less rainfall and so the land is not suitable for plants to grow

Question 5

in the Sahel, what months can you expect little to no rainfall?
(when is the dry season?)

Answer 5

June through to January

Question 6

where can you expect less wildlife in the Sahel and why?

Answer 6

on the drier desert edges because they are inhabitable

Question 7

name 2 causes of desertification

Answer 7

climate change, human activity

Question 8

what is a possible cause for desertification in the Sahel?

Answer 8

Human activity. in the 1960’s, there was an increase in population so more trees were felled. This quickly lead to over cultivation and overgrazing. Without humus the soil was able to hold little to no water and so was eroded by the wind.

Question 9

overgrazing

Answer 9

a situation in which there are too many animals eating grass in an area, which damages the environment

Question 10

pasture

Answer 10

field

Question 11

vegetation cover

Answer 11

the percentage of soil which is covered by green vegetation.

Question 12

over-cultivation

Answer 12

ongoing agriculture depletes the soil’s nutrients and degrades the overall health and fertility of the soil

Question 13

humus

Answer 13

the organic component of soil

Question 14

Why do you think people would migrate out of the Sahel?

Answer 14

People would want to out of arid areas because there is little vegetation, livestock and water making it hard to survive.

Question 15

name soil management techniques

Answer 15

crop rotation, planting trees, ‘magic stone’

Question 16

explain how an increase in population can lead to soil erosion

Answer 16

1. increase in demand for recourses
2. deforestation, overgrazing, over-cultivation
3. soil has less protection from the weather
4. loose top soil is blown away

Question 17

grazing

Answer 17

grassland suitable for pasturage

Question 18

afforestation

Answer 18

replanting trees

Question 19

logging

Answer 19

the activity or business of felling trees and cutting and preparing the timber

Question 20

reforestation

Answer 20

the process of replanting an area with trees

Question 21

biomimicry

Answer 21

technology is manufactured to imitate the living

Question 22

afforestation

Answer 22

the process of planting large numbers of trees on land which has few or no trees on it

Question 23

why is emerging deforestation tech sustainable?

Answer 23

technology is becoming more and more innovative, soon enough new ideas will catch on and become standard

Question 24

why might people cut down trees in the rainforest? Name 6 reasons.

Answer 24

1. commercial logging
2. road building
3. land for farmers
4. land for architecture
5. mining
6. HEP (hydro electric power)

Question 25

some developing countries encourage the clearance of forests. Why?

Answer 25

1. the revenue earned can pay of economic debts.

2. fast growing populations (Brazil and Malaysia) need more land is needed for housing and farming

Question 26

a natural cause of desertification

Answer 26

climate change

Question 27

explain how less rainfall can lead to desertification

Answer 27

1. less rainfall means bare soil therefore an increased water-flow overland that washes the soil away.
2. Water is drained from the soil so The water table is lowered so few plants grow. and soil blown away more easily and a dust bowl is created.

Question 28

population growth and desertification

Answer 28

rapid population increase puts more pressure on the land to grow more food

Question 29

migration and desertification

Answer 29

as desertification takes hold in one area, local people migrate elsewhere in search for food and water, Unfortunately, wherever they settle, they increase the population pressure on the environment

Question 30

overgrazing and desertification

Answer 30

too many goats, sheep and cattle can destroy vegetation

Question 31

over-cultivation and desertification

Answer 31

land becomes exhausted and crops will not grow

Question 32

deforestation and desertification

Answer 32

the roots no longer bind the soil