Desertification Flashcards
1
Q
Desertification
A
Is the degradation of land so that it becomes more desert-like(drier and less productive). Soil erosion is a key part of desertification. Soil that is exposed is easily removed by water or wind. The nutrients are washed away and the soil become unproductive.
2
Q
Causes by humans
A
- deforestation
- farming
- population growth
- cattle farming
3
Q
Causes by climate change
A
- lack of rainfall
- temperatures are expected to increase
4
Q
Water management
A
- growing crops that do not need much water can reduce water use
- using drip irrigation on crops instead of surface irrigation, means that soil is not eroded and less water is evaporated
5
Q
Tree planting
A
- trees can planted as windbreaks to protect soil from wind erosion
- trees used to stabilize the sand
- trees provides shade for growing crops
- decayed leaves from trees gives nutrients back to soil
6
Q
Soil management
A
- leaving areas to rest and lets them recover nutrients
- rotating crops that use different nutrients from soil