Question

Causes and consequences of desertification

Answer 1

Answer:

The nature, causes and consequences of desertification in the drylands of Africa

Michael Bernard Kwesi Darkoh

Land Degradation & Development 9 (1), 1-20, 1998

The dryland environment of Africa poses formidable problems for sustainable development. Among these are unpredictable and severe drought, desiccation or aridification due to persistent drought and dryland degradation or desertification. Because these problems overlap in their effects on the ground, often those who seek sustainable development for these drylands tend to view the problems as one and the same. Yet to facilitate the development of appropriate and effective mitigating measures it is important that the differences and interrelationships be clearly understood. This article starts by outlining the differences and interlinkages between desertification, drought, desiccation and climate change and their causal factors. The central theme is the human causes and consequences of desertification in the drylands of Africa. An attempt has been made to unravel the changing views on the human causes, this is followed by a brief outline of the intervening plans and actions to stem the problem. A significant drawback in combating desertification and drought is the failure of African governments to devolve power to the people who are affected, and to link environmental degradation to economic policy. Consequently, many programmes lack local support or are undermined by conflicting trade and agricultural policies pursued by governments.