What do you understand by the term desertification?

What do you understand by the term desertification?

The United Nations’ official definition says desertification is land degradation in typically dry areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.

Which of these is an effect of desertification?

A major effect of desertification is the decrease in crop yields. Once land turns from arable to arid, it is often on longer suitable for farming purposes anymore. In turn, many farmers may lose their livelihood, since they often solely rely on farming as their single source of income.

What is the introduction of desertification?

Desertification is any widespread environmental degradation that reduces productivity of dryland ecosystems by reducing plant cover, soil loss, loss of soil organic matter, increasing sand dunes, and increasing run-off.

What may be the result is soil erosion is not taken care in time?

The effects of soil erosion are not just land degradation. It has led to a drastic increase in pollution and sedimentation in rivers that clogs the water bodies resulting in a decline in the population of aquatic organisms. Degraded lands lose the water holding capacity resulting in floods.

What causes 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.

What are the five main causes of desertification?

The main causes of desertification include:

  • Population growth – the population in some desert areas is increasing.
  • Removal of wood – in developing countries, people use wood for cooking.
  • Overgrazing – an increasing population results in larger desert areas being farmed.

How can agriculture prevent soil erosion?

You can reduce soil erosion by:

  1. Maintaining a healthy, perennial plant cover.
  2. Mulching.
  3. Planting a cover crop – such as winter rye in vegetable gardens.
  4. Placing crushed stone, wood chips, and other similar materials in heavily used areas where vegetation is hard to establish and maintain.

What are the 3 main causes of desertification?

What are 7 consequences of desertification?

CONSEQUENCES OF DESERTIFICATION Loss of biodiversity by worsening the living conditions of many species. Food insecurity due to crop failure or reduced yields. The loss of vegetation cover and therefore of food for livestock and humans. Increased risk of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19.

What are the causes and effects of desertification?

Lands turn to desert due to a number of reasons, but much of the desertification that is occurring around the world today is caused by human activity on lands that are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and improper agricultural methods.

Which of the following farming techniques will best help in preventing desertification?

Which of the following farming techniques will BEST help in preventing desertification? Rotational grazing.

How do farmers use plants to slow erosion?

Planting Vegetation as ground cover: Farmers plant trees and grass to cover and bind the soil. Plants prevent wind and water erosion by covering the soil and binding the soil with their roots. The best choice of plants to prevent soil erosion are herbs, wild flowers and small trees.

Which type of roots prevent soil erosion?

Tree roots turn soil into a type of reinforced dirt to prevent soil erosion. They help prepare for natural circumstances such as wind, water, and floods. The more trees that are planted together, the stronger the soil they sit on will be. However, tree roots can spread wide, so keep that in mind when planting.

What are the 6 effects of desertification?

CONSEQUENCES OF DESERTIFICATION The loss of vegetation cover and therefore of food for livestock and humans. Increased risk of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19. Loss of forest cover, with a corresponding shortage of wood resources. The decrease in drinking water reserves due to the loss of aquifers.

What is desertification?

Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry area of land becomes a desert, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife.

What is the UN Convention to combat desertification?

In 1994, the United Nations established the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), through which 122 countries have committed to Land Degradation Neutrality targets, similar to the way countries in the climate Paris Agreement have agreed to targets for reducing carbon pollution.

Can We put a break on desertification?

Projections indicate that most of the world will see a 16-24% increase in heavy precipitation intensity by 2100. Limiting global warming is therefore one of the key ways to help put a break on desertification in future, but what other solutions exist?

Where can I find media related to desertification?

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Desertification. Global Deserts Outlook (2006), thematic assessment report in the Global Environment Outlook (GEO) series of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).