Drought And Desertification *G11 Flashcards
Drought definition
Long period with little to no precipitation
Desertification definition
Process where fertile land becomes arid
Areas of risk of drought and desertification in general
Semi arid ares on the edge of deserts
Areas of risk of drought and desertification in SA
West parts of SA
South kalahari
Northern Cape
Areas bordering the Karoo
What are the types of drought dependent on
Length of time
Causes of drought *min 4 max 6
*change in rainfall patterns
*increased evaporation
*el Nino
*climate change
*low humidity
*higher temps
Name and explain the types of drought 5x2
*meteorological - rainfall below average for a few weeks to a season
*agricultural - lower than adequate rain so lower crop yields
*hydrological - lower than adequate rain so rivers stop flowing and ground water supplies decrease
*ecological - natural vegetation suffers as a result of lack of rain
*socioeconomic - people affected by below normal rainfall
On a scale from 1-3, rate meteorological, agricultural, hydrological and ecological drought based on length
Meteorological - 1
Agricultural - 2
Hydrological - 3
Ecological - 3
Causes of deforestation *2
*human activity
*climate change
Explain human activity as a cause of desertification *2
*overusing natural resources (overgrazing, deforestation, over cultivation) put pressure on the soil
*soil loses fertility, soil erosion likely
Effects of drought and desertification on people *4
*death from malnutrition and heat stress
*scarce crops becoming expensive
*famine as a result of reduced crop production
*less exports, more imports - bad for economy
Effects of drought and desertification on the environment *3
*wildlife die from a lack of water
*dry and high temperatures - fires
*less fertile soil, vegetation cannot grow
Who are the most vulnerable to drought and desertification
Poor people in developing countries
Why are poor people in developing countries the most vulnerable *4
*people don’t have finances to deal with food and water storage
*people who rely on agriculture for pay lose jobs
*farmers don’t have funds for irrigation schemes
*increased poverty
Ways to manage drought *5
*after seeing that vegetation won’t be as green via satellite, plan in advance by storing food and water
*plant crops that use less water
*water restrictions
*making plans for famine relief programs
*having a water collector
