Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes a desert, typically as a result of climate change and human activities. While desertification is often associated with human activities, such as overgrazing and deforestation, there are also natural causes of desertification. In this essay, we will discuss some of the natural causes of desertification and their impact on the environment.
One of the main natural causes of desertification is climate change. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can lead to a shift in the type of vegetation that grows in an area, leading to desertification. For example, an increase in temperature can lead to a decrease in precipitation, which can cause soil moisture to evaporate and vegetation to die off. Similarly, a decrease in precipitation can lead to a decrease in soil moisture and an increase in desertification.
Another natural cause of desertification is the topography of an area. Mountains, valleys, and other landforms can affect the amount of sunlight, wind, and precipitation an area receives, which can lead to desertification. For example, an area on the leeward side of a mountain range may receive very little precipitation, leading to dry and barren conditions. Similarly, an area in a valley may be protected from strong winds, which can prevent the spread of desertification.
In addition to climate change and topography, natural disasters such as droughts and wildfires can also contribute to desertification. Droughts can cause a lack of moisture in the soil, leading to the death of vegetation and the spread of desertification. Wildfires can also destroy vegetation, leading to desertification.
The natural causes of desertification discussed above can have serious consequences for the environment and the people who live in affected areas. Desertification can lead to a decrease in biodiversity, as certain plant and animal species are unable to survive in the dry, barren conditions. It can also lead to a decrease in agricultural productivity, as fertile land becomes less suitable for farming. Additionally, desertification can lead to increased erosion and soil degradation, which can make it more difficult for plants to grow in the future.
In conclusion, desertification is a complex process that can be caused by a variety of factors, including climate change, topography, and natural disasters. Understanding the natural causes of desertification is important for developing strategies to mitigate its effects and protect the environment.
Natural Disasters: Causes and Effects: Lesson 8—Desertification
Healthy soils hold more water and aids in filtering chemicals, which can help reverse desertification as well The goal is to prevent soil erosion and loss of nutrients, and reduce soil acidification. When the land is cleared of trees, the roots of the trees no longer hold the soil together so it is more vulnerable to soil erosion. How is climate change land use and desertification connected? Formerly, the second largest lake in Bolivia filled with diversity of fish and birds had completely dried up just in the span of three years, 2014 to 2017. Deforestation Deforestation removal of trees causes desertification, as trees work to store water and prevent erosion. The upper parts of plants help protect the soil from surface winds, whereas the root network below keeps the soil together. Sadly, the very same process continues to threaten the existence of at least 1. They can also reduce the local effects of drought.
What are the causes of desertification?
And try to do everything in our power to help protect natural resources we have. 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. You can see this wonderful resilience of the plants in Serengeti. Desertification examples include land that has been overgrazed by animals contributing to soil erosion and dryness. Furthermore, through the use of unsustainable irrigation techniques, salt concentration can also rise in many cultivated soils, rendering the soil useless for growing crops or other plants. Why does deforestation cause desertification? This can be caused by drought, overpopulation, over-farming, deforestation and climate change.
What causes desertification?
Under circumstances like these, people often overextract water from available resources like creeks, rivers or even groundwater to irrigate the crops. People rely on vegetation for food, to feed their livestock, and to heat their homes. If biodiverse ecosystems disappear, we will be left with pollution, drought, hunger and lack of resources. Over the past century, the Sahara desert has been expanding by more than 7,600sq km a year and is now 10% larger than it was in 1920. Where is desertification happening the most? This deforestation may cause desertification. SOLUTIONS TO DESERTIFICATION The effects of desertification can be tackled in a number of ways.
Causes of desertification
Other ways by which overpopulation can cause desertification, is through increase in the risk of unsustainable agricultural practices, and environmental degradation. Climate Change Various anthropogenic factors and human activities may result in climate change. An example of this is the Younger Dryas event which was characterized by a large spike in temperature, followed by a plummet in temperature, before the Earth warmed up again and experienced a reduction in glaciation. These irrigation techniques frequently cause salt to accumulate in soils. On what was previously lush soil with enormous agricultural potential, enormous skyscrapers, residences, and more frequently, commercial developments are now constructed.
