rural land degregation

Question 1

impacts of RLD on the sahel

Answer 1

P-crop failures/death of livestock
E-increased malnutrition, impacting kids development

P-reliance on international aid
E-may struggle to pay back high interest loans, debt

P-degradation of farmland
E-large scale rural migration to cities

P-ppl move to cities/ shanty towns
E-increases sewage, poor living conditions,increases strain on services

P-demographically imbalanced rural pop
E-young men usually migrate, leaving children/women/elderly in rural areas alone

P-increase in cash crops (crops just for money)
E-loss of traditional farming lifestyle

Question 2

techniques used to manage RLD

Answer 2

-afforestation projects reduce wind erosion and prevents soil erosion as the tree roots bind the soil together

-fenya juu terraces (popular in tanzania) have been made by digging a drinage channel and throwing soil uphill to make a ridge to increase infiltration

-use of fuel efficient stoves e.g “jiko”
reduces demand for firewood therefore more trees left to prevent wind and water erosion

-nomadic farmers encouraged to reduce the number of livestock to reduce soil compaction

-movable fencing allows farmers to control grazing area, allowing soil to recover at different times of the year

Question 3

comment on the effectiveness of techniques used to manage RLD

Answer 3

AFFORESTATION
✅depending on tree type, seeds and pods are a good source of protein for livestock, add benefits
❌expensive! green wall project, expected cost is $8B
❌too expensive for most developing nations like the sahel, as focus is services for the ppl
NOT EFFECTIVE

FUEL EFFICENT STOVES LIKE JIKO
✅effective, uses half the amount of fuel than an open fire

REDUCING LIVESTOCK NUMBERS WITH NOMADIC FARMERS
❌they will resist, large livestock size=large status

FENYA JUU TERRACES
✅low technology approach
❌building g and maintaining is very labour intensive

Question 4

causes of land degradation

Answer 4

1)over cultivation

2) overgrazing

3)deforestation, 1900, %90 of ethiopian highlands have been deforestated

4)urbanisation

5)growth of cash crops

6)draughts

7)overcropoing

8)rapid population growth