Agriculture in Africa tends to result in low productivity , as most of the land is characterized as a semi-desert. Clearing the land of trees also reduces the structure of the soil. Coupled with wind erosion, the topsoil blows away and leaves a desert-like land.
Who is most impacted by the desertification of Africa?
Practically every country of Africa is prone to desertification, but the Sahelian countries at the southern fringe of the Sahara are particularly vulnerable.
What are the impacts of desertification?
What are the effects of desertification? Lack of vegetation cover for holding soil together and for grazing . Crop failure, leading to famine . Land is unable to support people so they are forced to migrate .
What are the effects of desertification in South Africa?
South Africa is losing about 300 to 400 million tons of topsoil every year . Areas such as the Northern Cape are especially prone to desertification. To halt desertification the number of animals on the land must be reduced, allowing plants to regrow.
How will desertification impact Africa in the near future?
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that by 2030 Africa will lose two-thirds of its arable land if the march of desertification — the spread of arid, desert-like areas of land — is not stopped. ...
What are the causes and impacts of desertification?
Overgrazing is the major cause of desertification worldwide. Other factors that cause desertification include urbanization, climate change, overuse of groundwater, deforestation, natural disasters, and tillage practices in agriculture that make soils more vulnerable to wind.
What is the main reason of desertification?
‘Climatic variations’ and ‘Human activities’ can be regarded as the two main causes of desertification. removal of the natural vegetation cover(by taking too much fuel wood), agricultural activities in the vulnerable ecosystems of arid and semi-arid areas, which are thus strained beyond their capacity.
Why is desertification a huge problem in Africa?
It has been estimated that 319 million hectares of Africa are vulnerable to desertification hazards due to sand movement . ... Deforestation exposes the soil to high temperatures which break down the organic matter, increase evaporation and make the soils vulnerable to erosion.
Which continent is severely affected by desertification?
Africa is the continent most affected by desertification, and one of the most obvious natural borders on the landmass is the southern edge of the Sahara desert. The countries that lie on the edge of the Sahara are among the poorest in the world, and they are subject to periodic droughts that devastate their peoples.
What is Africa doing to stop desertification?
The Great Green Wall . One ambitious initiative created to reduce desertification in Africa is the Great Green Wall. ... The Great Green Wall’s goals for 2030 include restoring 247 million acres of destroyed land and creating 10 million jobs in rural areas.
What are 3 causes of desertification?
Human activities that contribute to desertification include the expansion and intensive use of agricultural lands, poor irrigation practices, deforestation, and overgrazing . These unsustainable land uses place enormous pressure on the land by altering its soil chemistry and hydrology.
How can desertification affect humans?
Land degradation and desertification can affect human health through complex pathways . As land is degraded and deserts expand in some places, food production is reduced, water sources dry up and populations are pressured to move to more hospitable areas. ... the spread of infectious diseases as populations migrate.
What is the impact of drought in South Africa?
| Primary impacts Secondary impacts | Reduced forest, crop, and range land productivity Reduced income and food shortages | Reduced water levels Lower accessibility to water | Reduced cloud cover Plant scorching | Increased daytime temperature Increased fire hazard |
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Why is it important to stop desertification?
Desertification diminishes biological diversity , a diversity which contributes to many of the services provided to humans by dryland ecosystems. Vegetation and its diversity are key for soil conservation and for the regulation of surface water and local climate.
How does desertification affect development?
World Atlas of Desertification
As the world develops economically and its population increases, pressure on land resources is increasing . ... Land degradation causes a decline in land productivity and is therefore likely to lead to increased levels of poverty.
How can desertification be prevented?
- Planting more trees – the roots of trees hold the soil together and help to reduce soil erosion from wind and rain.
- Improving the quality of the soil – this can be managed by encouraging people to reduce the number of grazing animals they have and grow crops instead.
