Desertification Flashcards

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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.

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2
Q

Causes by humans

A
  • deforestation
  • farming
  • population growth
  • cattle farming
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3
Q

Causes by climate change

A
  • lack of rainfall

- temperatures are expected to increase

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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
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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
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6
Q

Soil management

A
  • leaving areas to rest and lets them recover nutrients

- rotating crops that use different nutrients from soil

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