Desertification And Strategies To Reduce Desertification

Question 1

Define desertification.

Answer 1

Desertification is the process by which land becomes drier and degraded

Question 2

Give 3 human causes of desertification.

Answer 2

Population growth
Overgrazing
Over cultivating (intensive farming)

Question 3

Give an area that is at a very high risk of desertification.

Answer 3

Sahel region (Sahara desert, Northern Africa)

Question 4

What problem does too much irrigation cause in the desert?

Answer 4

Salinisation

Question 5

What type of trees are planted and where, to reduce desertification?

Answer 5

Acacia trees

Senegal, Sahara desert

Question 6

Give an advantage and a disadvantage of planning acacia trees.

Answer 6

Advantage- prevents soil erosion, provides nutrients, removes carbon from the atmosphere
Disadvantage- unreliable rainfall and not all areas may be provided with an education or seeds

Question 7

Where are stone lines used in the desert?

Answer 7

Burkina faso

Question 8

Give and advantage and disadvantage of using stone lines.

Answer 8

Advantage- water is maintained and used, nutrient rich sediment is trapped- enable growth and cheap, low skilled, sustainable method
Disadvantage- intensive labour, unreliable rainfall

Question 9

What size are Zak planting pits?

Answer 9

25cm deep, 25cm in diameter

Question 10

Give an advantage and disadvantage of Zak planting pits.

Answer 10

Advantage- maintains water and nutrients, produces compost and increased yields
Disadvantage- intensive labour, unreliable rainfall