Question

Explain the process of desertification. Include an example of an event that can cause desertification and describe the changes that occur as desertification takes place. Finally, explain the end result of ts process.

Answer 1

Desertification is a process of continuous, gradual ecosystem degradation, during which plants and animals, and geological resources such as water and soil, are stressed beyond their ability to adjust to changing conditions. Because desertification occurs gradually, and the processes responsible for it are understood, it can often be avoided by planning or reversed before irreparable damage occurs. The physical characteristics of land undergoing desertification include progressive loss of mature, stabilizing vegetation from the ecosystem, or loss of agricultural crop cover during periods of drought or economic infeasibility, and a resulting loss of unconsolidated topsoil. This process is called deflation. Erosion by wind and water then winnows the fine-grained silt and clay particles from the soil; dramatic dust storms like those observed during the 1930's Dust Bowl in the American mid-west, and in northern Africa, were essentially composed of blowing topsoil. Continued irrigation of desertified land increases soil salinity, and contaminates groundwater, but does little to reverse the loss of productivity. Finally, ongoing wind and water erosion leads to development of gullies and sand dunes across the deflated land surface.

Answer 2

Desertification is a situation where the water on land and humid air is lost at a higher rate than the water intake that is received, it will eventually dry the water bed leaving the land dry and dusty, the process that may lead to desertification is deforestation, trees are vital in a way that it attracts rain, when they are cut down desertification will slowly dominate