Desertification Flashcards
What is desertification?
A type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid, losing water as well as vegetation and wildlife
What are 3 causes of desertification?
Unpredictable rainfall
Higher temperatures
A reduced water supply as rivers dry up and water table falls
What are 2 human causes of desertification?
Population growth from natural increase
Migration
How can there be population pressure on land? 2 reasons
Intensification of agriculture to feed larger local population
Over-cultivation, overgrazing and deforestation
What does desertification often cause rural areas to become?
Unable to support the same sized populations that previously lived there.
How much of Spain is classed as arid?
50%
How much of Spain is at risk of desertification?
74%
18% at high to very high risk
In 2008, how much of Spain was at risk of desertification?
37%
What are 2 more vulnerable areas in the South of Spain?
Andalusia and Murcia
