Human Flashcards
what are some problems with census data
-not everyone completes it
-normadic countries are difficult to include
-remote and difficult to access settlements may be excluded
-covering all languages is challenging and expensive
-poor countries cant afford more thorough census
-ethnic tensions can influence accuracy
-wars and violence e.g. Syria
-literacy restricts access to completing forms
-suspicion on how data used e.g. North Korea
-illegal migration e.g. Mexico border to USA
what are the causes of rural land degradation
-overcultivation
-overgrazing
-climate variability
-unreliable rainfall
-deforestation
-monoculture
-increasing population
-improper irrigation and drainage
how does overcultivation cause rural land degradation in the sahel
overcultivation is when arable farmers are forced to increase yields from their land. As a result, the fallow periods allowed for the soil to recover are reduced and the soil loses its nutrients. Rising populations have forced farmers to increase the amount of land being used for arable farming. This has led to unsustainable crop production which accelerates
how does overgrazing cause rural land degradation in the sahel
rising populations have also caused an increase in the size and number of herds grazing in the sahel. This places pressure on grazing areas, particularly around wells, boreholes, lakes and rivers. Overgrazing has resulted in the vegetation being stripped down to the roots, leaving the soil exposed. Compaction of the soil also occurs due to trampling which reduces infiltration capacity and increases erosion
how does climate variability cause rural land degradation in the sahel
the sahel is facing an increased frequency of droughts. In drought conditions, the soil is exposed, and the topsoil is blown away or washed away by flash floods. In Burkina Faso, its estimated that between 1920 and 1995, there was a 20m drop in its water table. This had major implications for the growth of vegetation and the formation of soil
how does unreliable rainfall cause rural land degradation in the sahel
when there is rain, it often falls in a few heavy downpours which can cause flash floods. Most of the water is lost as surface runoff with very little water infiltrating into the soil. Unreliable rainfall, in addition to extracting water from wells results in less water in the water table. This means that certain plant roots are no longer able to reach a water supply. A lack of vegetation cover then leaves the soil exposed to erosion
how does deforestation cause rural land degradation in the sahel
rising populations place a burden on woodland which is the main source of fuel in the sahel. Since 1990, 90% a forest from the Ethiopian Highlands have been cleared. Deforestation removes the binding effect of tree roots and protection foliage. in absence of fuel wood, people use animal dung and crop residues for their energy needs which are usually used as fertiliser, further depriving the soil of any nutrients.
how does monoculture cause rural land degradation in the sahel
A cash crop is a crop which is produced for its commercial value rather than for the use by the grower. Many farmers have been forced to grow crops such as cotton and rice. This results in monoculture which strips the soil of its nutrients and eventually leaves the soil infertile.
how does increasing population cause rural land degradation in the sahel
The death rate is decreasing, and the birth rate is increasing which leads to a natural increase in the population. The sahel region also has a high population density. This often results an exceeding the maximum number of people that can be supported by the resources the land is able to provide for them. The demand for food causes inappropriate farming techniques which increase pressure on the land.
how does improper irrigation and drainage cause rural land degradation in the sahel
roots of irrigated crops reject most salts and only absorb pure water. Extra water is then needed to wash the salts away which is not available. Without proper drainage, the water table continues rising. Water evaporates from the upper layers of the soil but as only pure water evaporates, soil concentrations in the soil increase which can eventually poison crops.
what are the impacts of rural land degradation
– salinisation
– Biodiversity decrease
– Education
– Loss of income
– Rills and gullies
– Over dependency on aid
– Malnutrition and disease
– Loss of topsoil
describe salinisation as an impact of rural land degradation
inappropriate farming technology and the growth of cash crop farming has led to an increase in flood irrigation, causing salts to accumulate in the soil. If irrigated soils are not drained properly, salts will build up in the root zones of the crops. This can kill the crops and contaminate the soil. to reverse this process and rejuvenate the soil, it is very expensive.
Describe biodiversity decrease as an impact of rural land degradation
As a result of vegetation loss, there is an organic decrease in biomass. The amount of organic matter from living vegetation is reduced, as well as a decrease in soil organic matter which results in a loss of key plant and animal species. The result of this is a reduction in biodiversity.
Describe education as an impact of rural land degradation
in many of the Sahelian countries, such as Burkina Faso, education and healthcare must be paid for. The loss of income brought by crop and her failures may mean students‘ education is interrupted and individuals may go untreated if they are ill.
Describe loss of income as an impact of rural land degradation
A loss in income for farmers is the most obvious economic impact of rural land degradation. The money made from yields of cash crops will eventually also decrease because of the exhaustion of the soil. As exports fall, there is a loss of foreign currency which can halt development. The depletion of the soils fertility will also result in farmers being unable to graze animals. as a result, animals may die due to starvation so cannot then be sold or used as a source of milk or meat.
describe rills and gullies as impacts of rural land degradation
expose soil is more at risk of erosion from the intense tropical downpours caused by the ICTZ. As a result, overland flow remove the topsoil and cuts into the land, forming rills and gullies. This is also a problem when the soil has been compacted by tramping animals. This is made increasingly worse as in increasing populations put more pressure on the land.
Describe over dependency on aid as an impact of rural land degradation
Were the effects of land degradation and drought have been the most devastating, people have had to rely on food and other aid sent from other countries. this can lead to over dependency on external help. Therefore, countries may be less likely to change their farming techniques or make changes to make food production more sustainable.
describe malnutrition and disease as an impact of rural land degradation
The failure of crops year after the year has led to starvation and death. Malnutrition may also be attributed to the reduction in the range of crops grown in order to concentrate on cash crops. People are less able to fight off diseases such as kwashiorkor, and infection due to ill health. Around 20.2 million people suffer from food shortages in the sahel. Diseases and illness become widespread which results in people not being able to work and therefore, having no money to buy food. They become weaker and the cycle of poverty continues. as a result of malnutrition and disease, infant mortality rates and death rates increase.
describe loss of topsoil as an impact of rural land degradation
Overcultivation, overgrazing and deforestation have damaged the soil structure which means individual grains are lighter and washed away or blown away more easily. Strong winds, such as the harmattan, erode the topsoil from the land that has become degraded. During the drought of the 1970s, three times the normal amount of topsoil was blown away. Some of this was deposited in Barbados nearly 5000 km away. Increased frequency of dust storms may burry and kill crops.
What are the rural land degradation management strategies
– Afforestation
– Stone lines
– Manage grazing areas
– Reduce herd sizes
– Education
– Fuel efficient stoves
– Planting pits
– The Eden foundation
– The great green wall
