Sahara Desert - Case Study

Question 1

What are the 4 development opportunities the Sahara desert can bring

Answer 1

Mining
Energy generation
Tourism
Farming

Question 2

How can the Sahara desert provide mining

Answer 2

minerals such as feldspar, phospherite, gypsum and kaolin.

Limestone is used for building and producing cement, and marble is used in construction.

Question 3

how can the Sahara desert bring energy regeneration

Answer 3

energy is produced in the Thar Desert using solar panels. and wind turbines in Jaisalmer

Question 4

how can the Sahara desert provide tourism

Answer 4

the Thar Desert National Park attracts many visitors , creates many jobs for local people. The multiplier effect of tourism creates many development opportunities.

Question 5

how does the sahara desert provide farming

Answer 5

irrigation in the Thar Desert has made commercial arable farming viable. Producing crops such as wheat and cotton has created many jobs and generated income for the local economy.

Question 6

what are the challenges in the Sahara desert

Answer 6

extreme temperatures > 50

Low water supply - Without water the development of mining, farming and tourism and therefore the economy would not be possible some places over irrigated causing evaporation due to waterlogged leaving salt making crop growth difficult

inaccessibility - inaccessible due to the extreme environmental conditions and poor infrastructure.

Question 7

what is desertification what are 4/5 reasons for this

Answer 7

land turning into desert as the quality of the soil declines over time.

population

removal of wood

overgrazing

soil erosion

climate change

Question 8

why is removal of wood a reason of desertification

Answer 8

people use wood for cooking. As the population in desert areas increases, there is a greater need for fuel wood. When the land is cleared of trees, the roots of the trees no longer hold the soil together so it is more vulnerable to soil erosion.

Question 9

how does overgrazing lead to desertification

Answer 9

Sheep, cattle and goats are overgrazing the vegetation. This leaves the soil exposed to erosion.

Question 10

what are the three methods to reduce desertification

Answer 10

tree planting

soil management

water management

Question 11

how can planting trees prevent desertification

Answer 11

umbrella effect prevent soil erosion - great green wall in sahara already 15million hectares restored

Question 12

how does soil management reduce desertification

Answer 12

this can be managed by encouraging people to reduce the number of grazing animals they have and grow crops instead. The animal manure can be used to fertilise the crops grown. Growing crops in this way can improve the quality of the soil as it is held together by the roots of plants and protected from erosion. This type of farming is more sustainable.

Question 13

how does water management reduce desertification

Answer 13

install bunds prevent downflow of water trapping soil then becomes cultivated

using cooking devices rather than using wood

Question 14

What is the value to the people of managing tropical rainforest identify 3/5

Answer 14

• resources - foods minerals
• medicine - 25%
• indigenous tribes - destroy homes
• energy - HEP power due to the rainfall
• employment

Question 15

what is the value to the environment of tropical rainforest - 3/5

Answer 15

water - 20%
biodiversity - 505 of animals and plants so must conserve
climate - 28% of oxygen and work as carbon sink
soil erosion due to trees

Question 16

what are the 3/4 ways rainforest can be managed sustainably

Answer 16

• selective logging replanting trees - monitoring the deforestation of trees and legally logging
• conservation and education
• ecotourism
• debt reduct

Question 17

what are the 3/4 ways rainforest can be managed sustainably

Answer 17

• selective logging replanting trees - monitoring the deforestation of trees and legally logging
• conservation and education
• ecotourism
• debt reduct

Question 18

what are the causes of deforestation

Answer 18

• commerical farming = cattle ranching - 80% crops such as palm oil
• logging of valuable wood for furntiure
• in brazil 4000km road created - for transporting good
• minerals in brazil being mined such as bauxite and gold polutting rivers carajavs - 3000 people working
• high rainfall means HEP so dams built blocking xingu river which can flood 40k hectares

settlements built wich lead to these things and an increase in population

Question 19

what are the economic impacts of deforestation

Answer 19

generates employment and income for the government the taxes used on infrastructure

mining these minerals used for industry generating income

• HEP provide cheap renewable energy
• infrastructure means economic development
• however restoring the pollution in rivers and destroyed land is difficult
• loss in biodiversity means reduce in tourism

Question 20

what are the the impacts of deforestation on soil erosion

Answer 20

• due to the lack of umbrella effect open to rainfall which can cause soil to be eroded and washed away

Question 21

what are the impacts of deforestation on climate change

Answer 21

• retain and emit moisture to atmosphere and contribute to water cycle so deforestation makes it more drier
• air not cooler due to lack of evaporation
• act as carbon sink and np more photosynthesis
• when burnt carbon released into atmosphere enhancing greenhouse effect moving to global warming