Sahara Desert - Case Study Flashcards
What are the 4 development opportunities the Sahara desert can bring
Mining
Energy generation
Tourism
Farming
How can the Sahara desert provide mining
minerals such as feldspar, phospherite, gypsum and kaolin.
Limestone is used for building and producing cement, and marble is used in construction.
how can the Sahara desert bring energy regeneration
energy is produced in the Thar Desert using solar panels. and wind turbines in Jaisalmer
how can the Sahara desert provide tourism
the Thar Desert National Park attracts many visitors , creates many jobs for local people. The multiplier effect of tourism creates many development opportunities.
how does the sahara desert provide farming
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.
what are the challenges in the Sahara desert
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.
what is desertification what are 4/5 reasons for this
land turning into desert as the quality of the soil declines over time.
population
removal of wood
overgrazing
soil erosion
climate change
why is removal of wood a reason of desertification
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.
how does overgrazing lead to desertification
Sheep, cattle and goats are overgrazing the vegetation. This leaves the soil exposed to erosion.
what are the three methods to reduce desertification
tree planting
soil management
water management
how can planting trees prevent desertification
umbrella effect prevent soil erosion - great green wall in sahara already 15million hectares restored
how does soil management reduce desertification
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.
how does water management reduce desertification
install bunds prevent downflow of water trapping soil then becomes cultivated
using cooking devices rather than using wood
What is the value to the people of managing tropical rainforest identify 3/5
- resources - foods minerals
- medicine - 25%
- indigenous tribes - destroy homes
- energy - HEP power due to the rainfall
- employment
what is the value to the environment of tropical rainforest - 3/5
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
what are the 3/4 ways rainforest can be managed sustainably
- selective logging replanting trees - monitoring the deforestation of trees and legally logging
- conservation and education
- ecotourism
- debt reduct
what are the 3/4 ways rainforest can be managed sustainably
- selective logging replanting trees - monitoring the deforestation of trees and legally logging
- conservation and education
- ecotourism
- debt reduct
what are the causes of deforestation
- 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
what are the economic impacts of deforestation
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
what are the the impacts of deforestation on soil erosion
- due to the lack of umbrella effect open to rainfall which can cause soil to be eroded and washed away
what are the impacts of deforestation on climate change
- 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
