Write a shot note on desertification
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Desertification
It is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry area (arid or semiarid lands) becomes a desert completely.
It has a huge impact on the soil structure, water reserves, agricultural practices and all the populations. Note that about half of the world population lives in such vulnerable areas. It is a matter of serious concern as it disturbs various ecosystems.
Causes:
Various factors ranging from climatic conditions to human activities are responsible for desertification. The causes can be one of the following or a combination.
- Climatic changes mainly due to global warming.
- Natural calamities like extended and severe droughts due to poor rainfall and increased sedimentation in water bodies due to flooding.
- Overgrazing
- Deforestation
- Poor agricultural practices like unsustainable irrigation methods
- Population explosion and increase in demands
- Urbanization
Impacts:
- Reduction in surface as well as groundwater levels and their quality
- Poor crop production leading to poverty and famine
- Flooding as there is no protective green cover
- Many species can become endangered
Solution:
In order to prevent or reverse desertification, a lot of efforts have to be made like
- Major policy changes giving more emphasis on environmental protection
- Sustainable land and water management
- Protection of the existing vegetation to prevent soil erosion and introducing new ones by planting trees.
- More favorable farming practices like terracing.
- Limiting the developments outside the drylands.
Examples related to desertification:
The Sahel region in Africa is an example of desertification. To address the issue of desertification in here, the African Union has launched the Great Green Wall Project. It is an 8000 Km stretch of tree plantation, running across 20 countries of Africa.
Another example is Lake Chad in Africa which has been shrinking considerably. The neighboring countries are in the process of reviving the lake.