GCSE 1.B - Living World ( Hot deserts ) Flashcards

Question

# THAR DESeRT Mineral extraction

Answer 1

The desert reigion has valuable reserves of mineral which are used all over India and exported all across the world Feldspar (used to make ceramics) - 66% of Indias production comes from Rajasthan kaolin ( used as whitener in paper) - Producing 16% of the nation's output | also valuble reserves of stones such as limetone in the region

Answer 2

The Thar desert is a rich energy sourcee Oil - a large oilfield in the barmer district makes a large contribution teh states revenues (US$5.3Billion in 2009-2018) Solar - Hot desert is the perfect climate and conditions for solar power constructions. A huge solar park is being constructed at Bhadla. Spreas across 40km , it will generate enough electricity to meet Rajasthan's needs

Answer 3

Most people living in the desert are involved in *subsistence farming*. They survive in the hot and dry conditions by grasing animals on the grassy areas and cultivating vegatbles and fruit trees *commercial farming*, Has been possible by irrigation. The construction of the Indira Ghandi Canal in 1958 has revolutionised farming, crops such as wheat and cotton now thrive in an area that used to be scrubby desert.

Answer 4

*In 2016 a record temp for india was 51C was recorded at Phalodi in Rajasthan* The Extreme heat presents health challlenges for people working outside e.g. tour guides, farmers Tourism Is seasonal because it is limited to the cooler months Extreme heat can lead to dehydration of animals and plats, affecting biodiversity and farming

Answer 5

High demand for water **The Indira Ghandhi Canal** The main source of irrigation in the Thar Desert, and a major source for the economy, supporting farming, mining, and tourism

Answer 6

Due to very extreme weather and vast barren areas there is a very limited road network across the Thar Desert. High temps can cause tarmac to melt and the strong winds often blow sand over the roads. Many places are only accesible by camel, Public transport often involves seriously overladen buses

Answer 7

**Climate change** - Changing patterns of rainfall and increased frequency and intensity of droughts threaten the delicate ecological balance, as water holes and rivers may flood or dry up **Wildfires** - May become more common, replacing slow-growing shrubs and trees with faster-growing grasses, altering the ecosystem **Overgrasing** - Over cultivation and exessive gathering of firewood in desert margins can destroy vegetation, exposing the soil to erosion by wind and rain -> desertification **Desert tourism** - Off-road vehicles can damage desert vegetation and disturb wildlife

Answer 8

When commercial farming involves irrigation. Water from underground sources or from rivers and canals can be sprayed onto crops or used to flood fields. Too much irrigation can cause problems leading to salinisation - a build up of salt on the surface of the land - soil fertility is reduced and plants can die

Answer 9

Ponding banks - areas of land enclosed by low walls to store water Contour traps - embankments built along the contours of slopes to prevent soil from being washed down during heavy rainfall

Answer 10

In some parts of the world, hot desert areas at risk of desertification have been protected by making them into national parks - The Desert National Park in the Thar Desert, India, was created in 1992 to protect some 3000 Km of desert and reduce the risk of desertification

Answer 11

Tree planting is an important way of reducing soil erosion and desertification. Tree roots bind the soil together, and the leaves and branches act like an umbrellla, protecting the soil from rain - In the Thar desert, a community-led project has planted one million trees to from a "green wall" at Bikaner in Western Rajasthan with the aim of reducing soil erosion by wind and reducing desertification

Answer 12

Involves using cheapm sustainable and avaliable materials appropraite to local communities often experiencing low levels of economic development. **Stone bunda in Burkina Faso, West Africa** - Using basic tools and trucks to transport the stones, local people have built low stone walls between 0.5m and 1.5m high along the contours of the slopes. When rain washes down the hillside, the wallls trap water and soil. This has helped to increase crops by up to 50% and reduce desertification

Answer 13

**Climate change** - Changing rianfall patterns and increased frequency of droughts **Wildfires** - Replaces slow growing shrubs and trees with faster-growing grasses, altering the ecosystme **Over-grasing/over-cultivation** and exessive gathering of firewood in desert margins can destroy vegetation **Desert tourism** - Off-road vehicles can damage desert vegetation and disturb wildlife

Answer 14

Feldspar - used for ceramics - 66% of India's production comes from Rajasthan Phosphorite - Used for making fertilisers - 95% of Indias production comes from Rajastahan

Answer 15

Solar park is being constructed in Bhadla. Spread across 40km, it will generate enough electricity to meet Rajasthan's needs

Answer 16

Indira Gandhi Canal (Main source of irrigation in Thar) in 1958 allows the gowth of vital crops such as wheat and cotton | Also provides drinking water and mitigates desertification + tree plants