desertification of soil Flashcards
1
Q
what is desertification?
A
fertile land becomes dry, cracked and desert like leaving the land unproductive
2
Q
what is desertification caused by?
A
the climate
little precipitation
high temperatures
(drying the soil)
3
Q
what breaks down the structure of the soil leading to desertification?
A
overgrazing
over cultivation depleting nutrients
irrigation (can drain underground water stores or cause salinisation)
4
Q
how much of global land is at risk of desertification?
A
1/3
