Overgrazing and desertification Climate Change. , 2023). This day is considered a unique moment to remind people of the ways in which land degradation can be solved through efficient problem-solving techniques and the Areas affected. And, with so many wild animals now located in fenced-in reserves, how we manage land affects more than just our food supplies – it impacts creatures at every level of the Apr 10, 2021 · Several human activities degrade drylands, one of the most significant being overgrazing by domestic livestock (Geist and Lambin 2004). g. Overgrazing causes desertification. A. Nov 12, 2024 · Human-Induced Causes of Desertification #1 Overgrazing. In this article we will define desertification, its causes, its impacts, and what can be done to stop it. overgrazing When land cannot sustain the number of animals that are feeding from it. Loss of Vegetation – Removing plant cover due to deforestation or overgrazing reduces soil stability and increases erosion. Apr 1, 2024 · The degree of desertification in certain Asian countries and regions is relatively severe, such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula and Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia. Promoting restoration. Sun, Moon and Telescopes above the Desert. In recent years, the Sahel has experienced desertification. Desertification is such a serious problem because it creates a positive feedback loop Jun 16, 2019 · In a video message released in advance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, marked on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world loses 24 billion tons of fertile land every year, and that the degradation in land quality is responsible for a reduction in the national domestic product of up to eight per cent every year. Sep 7, 2021 · For example, increased disturbance from overgrazing or a heightened fire frequency has reduced vegetation cover, increasing susceptibility to soil erosion and desertification 45. Implementing sustainable land management strategies is essential to mitigate the impact and promote the resilience of the Sahel's ecosystems and communities. Other factors like farming and creating reservoirs can also play a role, but overgrazing is particularly significant. Desertification is a critical environmental issue that affects ecosystems, human livelihoods, and global biodiversity. The estimates of “desertified” and soon to be desertified land in Morocco have grown consistently since the 1970s. Apr 20, 2023 · NER is facing the most critical environmental issues of land degradation and desertification (Saowanee 2020). Desertification usually begins in areas made susceptible by drought or overuse by human populations and spreads into arid and semiarid regions. Local LU habits and practices, as well as the topography in the area, have an impact on how much desertification is occurring. 2013). Nov 8, 2019 · Desertification is widely debated in the scientific community with respect to its definition, causes, consequences, measurement indicators, monitoring mechanisms, and prevention. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The ____ cuts across the southern edge of the Sahara Desert at the widest portion of the continent. The rapid expansion of barren land is placing immense pressure on herders and communities who rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. As a result, plants cannot establish and grow Desertification in Africa is exacerbated by human factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable farming methods such as monoculture and excessive use of chemical fertilizers. On hillslopes the reduction of grasses reduces the amount of organic matter supplied to the soil, followed by a physical degradation of the soil. The causes of overgrazing include overstocking of livestock, lack of proper management and planning, and economic factors. Jun 22, 2021 · Overgrazing has been found as a primary contributor to the degradation of the Mongolian steppe and is at least partially responsible for desertification (Hilker et al. Oct 27, 2023 · Context: : This article is based on an Editorial “100 million hectares of arable land lost yearly to degradation, shows UN report” which was published in the DownToEarth. & Adie, L. It’s also considered to be a cause of the spread of invasive species of non-native plants and weeds. It has been estimated that some 10–20% of drylands are already degraded, the total area affected by desertification being between 6 and 12 million square kilometres, that about 1–6% of the inhabitants of drylands live in Mar 5, 2013 · Overgrazing has been a major cause of the creeping advance of deserts worldwide, but new management techniques might make livestock part of the solution Dec 3, 2024 · Every year, the United Nations observes the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, an occasion to promote public awareness of the presence of desertification and drought. Desertification makes it more difficult to obtain natural resources and reduces biodiversity. higher fire potential and increased productivity C. The land is one of valuable natural resources that support the life system on earth through biomass production to provide food, fodder and fuel for human beings and live stocks either directly or indirectly, including pisciculture (Patiram and Kumar 2005). Deforestation , th e removal of trees and other vegetation, can lead to soil erosion and desertification. I find that the most significant effects of desertification is rural to urban migration which then produces further environmental pollution challenges. But how does this happen? When livestock eat plants down to the roots, the plants grow short, unsustainable roots and eventually, the plants will stop growing altogether. With disappearance, the soil dries out and the vegetation cannot recover. The immediate cause of desertification is the loss of most vegetation. Desertification Causes. IntroductionThe state of Rajasthan, India, is a vast expanse of arid and semi-arid lands, characterized by its harsh climate, sparse vegetation, and fragile ecosystems. It can also have demographic and economic consequences, forcing people to migrate away from affected areas. Climate theories have focused upon changes that have occurred over the past Feb 12, 2007 · The effects of desertification on climate have been described mainly in terms of changes in land use and land cover leading to land degradation; overgrazing; biomass burning and atmospheric emissions; agriculture's contribution to air pollution; forest and woodland clearing and accelerated wind erosion; anthropogenic land disturbances and wind Areas affected. Despite the significance of this Overgrazing has adverse impacts. Solutions to manage overgrazing Managed Grazing Dec 5, 2024 · Soil is a hot topic as countries gather in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This leaves the soil exposed to erosion. It damages the ecosystem and fuels climate change by causing soil erosion, degrading water resources (such as rivers, streams, and the water table), and destroying biodiversity. Dec 20, 2022 · In Northwest China, historical overgrazing of vegetation has led to dunes losing their protective vegetative cover and therefore becoming extremely unstable. Herders have been forced to add goats to their flocks and use larger areas of the grasslands because of the high profits extracted by middlemen. Natural Hazards Drought and Desertification Prepared by CRSTRA – The Centre for Scientific and Technical Research on Arid Regions, Biskra, Algeria & the Editorial Board. Sep 26, 2024 · In Spain, desertification and overexploitation have severely affected what’s known as “Europe’s kitchen garden”. Mar 7, 2018 · Desertification is one of the most serious problems facing northern Nigeria with 580,841 km 2 out of the 927,892km 2 total land area of Nigeria and with about 62 million Nigerians directly or Desertification is the process by which land degrades, becoming more arid and less productive. Desertification is a process by which the productive land turns into desert—this happens when land becomes progressively drier until vegetation is no longer able to grow. Aug 27, 2021 · Desertification is a major threat to development, food security and biodiversity across much of the world. Explanation: Causes of Desertification Dec 15, 2022 · You might also like: Desertification: Causes, Effects, And Solutions A Brief History of Desertification in Africa. 28). Such declines may be the result of climate change, deforestation, overgrazing, poverty, political instability, unsustainable irrigation practices, or combinations of these factors. , The ___ in the south is famous for the extensive Victoria Falls on the Zambia and Desertification can bring about poverty, health problems due to wind-blown dust, and a decline in biodiversity. overgrazing, degradation of soil fertility and structure), improper soil moisture management, salinization and erosion, forest removal, and climate change. Testing the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and the spaceborne Earth Observing 1 Hyperion imaging spectrometer for measuring PV, NPV, and bare soil fractional cover in the Monte Desert biome of Central Argentina showed that apparent accuracies decrease by 20% due to field/remote sensing the objective of highlighting the main causes of overgrazing and desertification. The European Union has flagged the vulnerability of its southern members to desertification in recent years, pointing not only to Spain but also Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. In this article, we analyze the Desertification in Africa is primarily caused by overgrazing and deforestation. soil compaction and subsidence Managing land sustainably can help avoid, reduce or reverse desertification, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Dec 1, 2023 · Indian desertification is a harmful phenomenon that is presently in progress. and is significantly caused by Climate Change, urbanization, and land degradation (Gendre, 2023). It leads to vegetation loss, soil erosion, and decreased land productivity. Dec 2, 2024 · Why do desertification, land degradation and drought matter? Desertification refers to the process of degradation of arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid lands, also known as drylands. Scientists consider it an advanced form of land degradation where soils are depleted of their nutrients. It is caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations. Overgrazing can cause desertification. The major causes of desertification include overgrazing, overcultivation of marginal land, unsustainable ‘slash-and-burn’ agricultural practice, logging for fuelwood, and poor irrigation techniques. Feb 1, 2021 · Overgrazing largely causes biodiversity loss and land degradation in drylands. Explanation: Desertification in Africa May 20, 2022 · The threat of desertification is considered a global concern that occurs in many environments in different parts of the world, where extensive lands are transformed gradually into desert or semi-desert areas, and this causes economic and health issues. Desertification has a negative influence on food production, in addition to the loss of biodiversity. Jul 1, 2005 · Overgrazing is listed first among the causes of desertification by the Minister of Agriculture of Morocco, who also blames overgrazing for deforestation (Korachi, 1995, p. Desertification is caused by both natural factors and human activities. Many of the natural causes may be made worse by climate change Natural causes. For example, deforestation reduces the quantity of plants that may anchor soil and protect it from erosion, whereas overgrazing depletes vegetation and Jan 11, 1992 · The evidence suggests that temperature trends in the northern hemisphere over the past century may be partly the result of desertification caused by overgrazing and forest clearing. It constitutes a major risk and can have a serious impact in a number of ways: climatic (e. Overgrazing is a primary contributor to desertification because it converts arable or pasture land into an unproductive piece of land. Overgrazing and soil Jul 10, 2024 · What are the causes of desertification? Land degradation has accelerated during the 20 th and 21 st centuries due to increasing and combined pressures of agricultural and livestock production (over-cultivation, overgrazing, and forest conversion), urbanization, deforestation, and extreme weather events such as droughts and coastal surges, which salinate land. Overgrazing and desertification have been always closely linked together. , Cherlet et al. Mar 7, 2024 · Desertification is a transnational, cross-regional, and global eco-environmental problem that seriously restricts sustainable socioeconomic development. erosion and desertification B. Desertification is a huge international concern, Over 250 million lives are being affected by this. As Mongolia is a typical arid and semi-arid region, the evolution of desertification in the country is closely related to major global issues such as climate change, global carbon cycling, and biodiversity. It has been estimated that some 10–20% of drylands are already degraded, the total area affected by desertification being between 6 and 12 million square kilometres, that about 1–6% of the inhabitants of drylands live in Jul 24, 2021 · As global temperatures continue to increase and human activities continue to expand, many countries and regions are witnessing the consequences of global climate change. In many Overgrazing of grasslands can lead to reduced range quality. Desertification does not describe conditions in areas traditionally described as 'deserts'. Aug 6, 2019 · Desertification has been described as “the greatest environmental challenge of our time” and climate change is making it worse. Implementing sustainable land and water management policies would help to overcome the challenge of these increasingly extreme situations. Desertification is a process of degradation of the land. It occurs because of man-made activities and climate change. Desertification has affected almost 36 million square km of land according to a report by the United Nations environment programme (UNEP). Overgrazing reduces the usefulness, biodiversity, and productivity of the land and is one cause of desertification and erosion. Feb 28, 2017 · During the past three decades, in the grassland ecosystems in China, unsustainable land management techniques, such as overgrazing, have caused serious desertification and salinization 6. 8. Studying the relationship between multiple biodiversity (MBD) across trophic levels and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) is becoming a frontier in ecosystem science. Water scarcity leaves a lasting impact on soil Desertification is land degradation in drylands, resulting It is the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing and desertification; the displacement of the upper layer of soil; it is a form of soil degradation. Oct 26, 2020 · Land degradation has accelerated during the 20 th and 21 st centuries due to increasing and combined pressures of agricultural and livestock production (over-cultivation, overgrazing, forest conversion), urbanization, deforestation and extreme weather events such as droughts and coastal surges, which salinate land. Areas undergoing desertification may show all of these symptoms, but the existence of only one usually provides sufficient evidence that the process is taking place. Jan 3, 2025 · Desertification, the process by which natural or human causes reduce the biological productivity of drylands. Desertification caused by climate change, deforestation, and overgrazing has resulted in land degradation, loss of vegetation, and increased vulnerability to droughts and food insecurity. All measures that protect soils from erosion, salinization, and other forms of soil degradation effectively prevent desertification. degradation 53. May 21, 2024 · Adopt and support pastoralism-based strategies and practices that help mitigate harms to rangeland health, such as climate change, overgrazing, soil erosion, invasive species, drought, and wildfires Promote supportive policies, full people’s participation and flexible management and governance systems to boost the services that rangelands and . 2018). However, the introduction of sheep (and occasionally cattle) ranching in the early 20th century quickly destroyed this ecological balance. Sep 7, 2021 · Decades of overgrazing by cattle and sheep of lowland . Large numbers of grazing animals may degrade vegetation cover thereby increasing soil erosion. Measurements and modeling show that the denuded surfaces are cooler, when compared under sunlit Oct 27, 2019 · Global maps of desertification and land degradation can be developed using satellite remote sensing (e. , _____ is the loss of more than 10% of soil productivity in arid areas due to such factors as erosion, soil compaction, overgrazing, and forest removal. Novikoff. Sustainable land use can address human activities such as overgrazing, overexploitation of plants, trampling of soils, and unsustainable irrigation practices that exacerbate dryland vulnerability. May 9, 2019 · Direct causes of desertification include wind and water erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, land conversion to crop land, irrigation leading to salinization, and other physical stressors leading to soil loss, soil compaction, loss of vegetative cover, loss of biodiversity, and degradation in ecosystem productivity. Desertification does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts. Negotiators are slated to discuss commitments that nations have made to stem the loss of soil and achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030. and more. This unique environment has made Rajasthan particularly vulnerable to the twin threats of soil erosion, degradation, and desertification. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria Email: ignatiusaudu24@gmail. Overgrazing occurs when livestock consume vegetation faster than it can naturally regenerate, leading to the degradation of soil and plant communities. Land degradation has recently been exacerbated in rangelands of Mexico by heavy grazing pressures. Desertification is the result of fewer places for plants to grow as areas become increasingly populated. Because the soil without it is easily eroded, and because its erosion as a result of excessive Apr 4, 2023 · Desertification is a growing problem in our world, due to a mix of climate change and poor land management. The productivity of arable land depends mainly on soil formation and Feb 18, 2022 · Overgrazing: Long-term overgrazing causes temporary or permane nt environmental harm. , The O horizon is _____. Overgrazing by livestock can result in the removal of vegetation cover, leading to soil erosion and desertification. Needs for research and future tasks to achieve the sustainable management of range lands Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. Nov 25, 2020 · Desertification is widely debated in the scientific community with respect to its definition, causes, consequences, measurement indicators, monitoring mechanisms, and prevention. Human factors that contribute to desertification include overgrazing, deforestation, agricultural practices, and land use changes. Extended droughts may mimic desertification, but vegetation may recover when seasonal rains return. This is driven by a number of factors, alone or in combination, such as drought, climatic shifts, tillage for agriculture, overgrazing and deforestation for fuel or construction materials. Two of the major effects of overgrazing are A. Lavauden was the first to use the term “desertification” to describe the low productivity of rangelands in Tunisia. Livestock overgrazing is often cited as one of the main causes of desertification but the intentional removal of vegetation by humans also has widespread repercussions on the land. Aug 10, 2024 · Desertification – The process of fertile land becoming desert, typically due to prolonged drought and deforestation. Desertification in these areas poses major challenges to the local ecological environment and socio-economic development (Zhao et al. Overgrazing; Deforestation; Farming Practices; Urbanization and other types of land development; Climate Change Human causes of desertification include overgrazing, the buildup of salt in irrigated soils, and topsoil erosion. Jul 22, 2024 · Desertification is the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, primarily caused by human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices, as well as climatic variations. Population growth is the Aug 28, 2023 · Desertification and land degradation caused by overgrazing result in an estimated annual economic loss of about $42 billion globally. exacerbating grassland desertification and . Permanent changes in climate, particularly rainfall, are responsible for natural desertification. Desertification in Africa Two common misconceptions prevail about desertification, that The Environmental Studies Desertification in Northern Nigeria: Causes and Consequences Audu. Overgrazing is a significant problem in many semi-arid regions, as livestock grazing pressure exceeds the carrying capacity of the land, leading to soil erosion and vegetation loss. Dec 3, 2021 · Overgrazing cause desertification by several steps, firstly grazing animals change botanical composition by consuming the desirable plant species and leaving Desertification occurs when the anthropogenically induced degradation exceeds the ecosystem's restorative capacity. - an increasing population results in larger desert areas being farmed. Approximately 46% of the world’s surface area is covered by drylands (arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas), where 3 billion people live and unfortunately witness water insecurity and desertification implications. Desertification. , changes in soil structure and physical properties) (Rostagno and del Valle 1988; Chartier and Rostagno 2006). Overgrazing reduces the usefulness, productivity and biodiversity of the land and is one cause of desertification and erosion. Recently, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has launched its first-ever Data Dashboard on land degradation and desertification, aggregating national reporting figures from 126 countries, reveals In simplest of terms; desertification is defined as the loss of trees and shrubs, leaving the land barren. A socio- ecological approach is also . And, with so many wild animals now located in fenced-in reserves, how we manage land affects more than just our food supplies – it impacts creatures at every level of the Nov 9, 2021 · Desertification thus remained prevalent during 1980–2015, with 11. Here we review the abrupt changes in the climate Nov 3, 2024 · Desertification is primarily caused by human activities, with overgrazing as a major contributor. In the country, the grazing stock (cattle, goats, sheep and hogs) increased from 22 million Oct 20, 2011 · The cause of rangeland desertification has been attributed to a combination of climatic and anthropic factors (UNCCD 1995; Geist and Lambin 2004; Hill 2006; Lambin et al. A variety of natural and human factors are contributing to desertification, including drought, overgrazing, over exploitation of land next 10 years if desertification is not checked (UNU 2007). an increase in […] Apr 1, 2010 · Desertification is essentially a result of soil degradation. Download Desertification UPSC Notes! Dec 3, 2024 · Soil erosion may over time lead to desertification. Apr 13, 2018 · Overgrazing has powerful effects when it comes to natural environments, and the implications stretch further than the plot of land on which animals graze. Desertification is caused by a number of factors, including harmful agricultural practices, overuse of resources and climate change. 43% drylands (especially in north-eastern and north-western drylands) experiencing land degradation or vegetation brownness. Sheep, cattle and goats are Overgrazing and Desertification For centuries, Patagonia's vast expanses of arid grasslands supported large herds of wild herbivores grazing on native grasses and scrubs. Areas with poor soil are prone to desertification because they get too little precipitation to meet growing human demands for water. Jun 17, 2021 · Mongolia is a globally crucial region that has been suffering from land desertification. human factors are also an issue. Overgrazing is a result of vegetation consumption by animals greater than the rates at which the vegetation can recover. Overgrazing compacts soil and destabilizes vegetation, while deforestation removes protective tree cover, leading to soil erosion. Soil erosion - this is made worse by overgrazing and the removal of wood. higher primary productivity and ammonification E. Desertification takes place when a particular type of biome converts into a desert biome. eutrophication and increased methane production D. Desertification is a threat to 17 different states in the U. Overgrazing is also seen as a cause of the spread of invasive species of non-native plants and of weeds. However, some studies showed there was not a significant difference in terms of the impact of overgrazing on the land degradation process where communal grazing was Immediate causes. Apr 4, 2023 · Land degradation (LD) poses a major threat to food security, livelihoods sustainability, ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. Mar 4, 2021 · But, over the last few decades, this increase in the number of livestock has added to overgrazing, desertification, and the reduction of land available for producing food. [30] Sep 25, 2024 · Deserts and semi-arid environments are habitats to rare species, rich cultural heritage, and essential ecological processes. Jan 24, 2014 · In the film, “Hope in a Changing Climate,” reviewed last month, there is a discussion of overgrazing leading to soil desertification. These factors combine to turn productive land into desert-like environments. Desertification has been defined in the text of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as "land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities. Desertification is a growing threat in Mongolia, with 77% of the country’s land classified as degraded due to overgrazing, climate change, and unsustainable pasture practices. Causes for Desertification? Man-Made Causes: Overgrazing: It reduces the usefulness, productivity, and biodiversity of the Apr 15, 2024 · What is Desertification?Desertification occurs when fertile land in arid conditions becomes drier, transitioning to a desert environment (G, 2022). [29] Ghana's problems with desertification have also been compounded by unsustainable agricultural practices. Mar 16, 2022 · Article summary and Key takeaways: Overgrazing is a widespread issue that occurs when livestock graze on a particular area of land for an extended period, leading to the depletion of vegetation and degradation of the soil. Jul 24, 2007 · Overgrazing, is one of the main causes of desertification in rangelands. Such sustainable land management practices include reducing soil tillage and maintaining plant residues to keep soils covered, planting trees on degraded lands, growing a wider variety of crops, applying efficient irrigation methods, improving rangeland Jun 11, 2024 · Faced with overgrazing and desertification, communities in the Middle East are reviving the concept of the hima, an ancient land-management practice that bridges tradition, culture, conservation—and faith. This excessive grazing can significantly reduce the land's productivity and disrupt the balance of ecosystems, ultimately contributing to soil degradation and desertification, which poses serious environmental challenges. S. Drought is the result of a deficiency in precipitation. This process is often exacerbated by human activities, such as unsustainable agricultural practices, overgrazing, deforestation, and the overexploitation of natural resources. The vegetation protects and preserves humidity. Cattle livestock grazing in a field. Iraq and many other parts of the Middle East are facing desertification threats in the last twenty years. The resultant soil is thus not suited for growing food since it loses its essential nutrients. In this context, the present study argued that Aug 24, 2020 · Academic research, however, has shown for more than 25 years that estimates of desertification have been significantly exaggerated and that most of the world’s drylands are not being invaded by spreading deserts caused by deforestation, burning, and overgrazing, as is often claimed. Drylands occupy approximately 40–41% of Earth’s land area and are home to more than 2 billion people. I hypothesize that desertification is one of the major causes of Ulaanbaatar’s environmental pollution, a challenge that has been historically overlooked. Desertification is a growing concern as the climate warms and droughts occur more frequently. The term “desertification” generally refers to the process by which fertile land becomes desert-like, losing its productivity and ability to sustain plant and animal life. While the term may bring to mind the windswept sand dunes of the Sahara or the vast salt pans of the Kalahari, it’s an issue that reaches far beyond those living in and around the world’s deserts, threatening the food security and livelihoods of more than two Desertification is a gradual process of increased soil aridity. It is caused by human activities, such as overgrazing and deforestation, and climatic factors, including droughts. Jul 1, 2015 · The impact of land management practices on soil erosion and land degradation was assessed during three consecutive years (December 2008–November 2011) in a rural area sensitive to Sheep, cattle and goats are overgrazing the vegetation. However, current understanding on Mongolia’s desertification is limited, constraining the desertification control and sustainable development in Mongolia and even other parts of the world. Desertification in the Arab States of the Gulf can be attributed to three significant processes affecting semi-arid or drylands: (1) human activities such as wood cutting or de-vegetating used as fuel for warming tents, cooking and overgrazing, which removes the protective plant cover, (2) excessive use of brackish water for localized Observations are reported of high-albedo soils denuded by overgrazing which appear bright, in high contrast to regions covered by natural vegetation. Overgrazing of rangeland by pastoralists has been the most commonly cited cause of desertification in global drylands for more than 30 years, but the evidence supporting this link is not always convincing Oct 12, 2024 · Desertification is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that occurs when fertile land gradually transforms into desert-like conditions. com Received January 2018, Accepted February and published March, 2018 Abstract Desertification is one Dec 4, 2024 · Desertification is a form of land degradation by which fertile land loses much of its biological — and economic — productivity, While climate change, deforestation, overgrazing Jan 23, 2022 · As part of its Action Against Desertification (AAD) programme, the FAO has brought the Delfino to four countries in the Sahel region – Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal – to cut through impacted, bone-dry soil to a depth of more than half a metre. 2009) with specific emphasis placed on overgrazing and drought (Bedell 1998; Puigdefabregas 1998). Desertification affects large dryland areas around the world and is a major cause of stress in human societies. But overgrazing and desertification ultimately only make life harder for the herders. Stripping an area of vegetation is also stripping it of water, accelerating the process of desertification in dry regions of the world. Oct 11, 2016 · This paper examines the theory and supporting evidence for links between desertification, drought and dust storms with a particular focus on studies undertaken in and around the Gobi Desert. In dry regions, grass and other small vegetation is necessary to keep the soil in place to prevent erosion and further damage to the soil. Semantic Scholar extracted view of "Desertification by overgrazing" by G. Rather, it refers to drylands. " Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Contour farming and terracing are strategies used mainly to reduce _____. , ___ in the zone continues as natural conditions and human activity place pressure on the region through overgrazing and the lack of precipitation. Mongolia, a nomadic and picturesque landlocked country, has battled with ongoing desertification, recurring droughts, and increasingly frequent sandstorms in recent decades. , I. Management practices, research, and social issues are addressed in this review from the desertification perspective, with the objective of highlighting the main causes of overgrazing and desertification. That led to a wider ecological, hydrological and agricultural collapse, and then to a 'rural intifada' of farmers and nomads no longer able to support themselves. May 31, 2024 · Even back in 1997, Mongolia was aware of its vulnerabilities to desertification and had identified four main causes: deforestation, overgrazing, inappropriate use of lands, and poorly planned road desertification, its causes and effects. Jun 5, 2015 · Civil war in Syria is the result of the desertification of the ecologically fragile Syrian steppe, writes Gianluca Serra - a process that began in 1958 when the former Bedouin commons were opened up to unrestricted grazing. A significant contributor to desertification is climate change. This paper studied spatiotemporal patterns, driving factors, mitigation strategies, and research methods of Nov 18, 2008 · Desertification Desertification is the expansion of dry lands due to poor agricultural practices (e. What is overgrazing and how does desertification impact? Overgrazing can be defined as the overuse of vegetable forage in some area, caused by an exaggerated number of head of cattle or excessive concentration of animals for a long time in the same place. The origins of the word ‘desertification’ are most commonly attributed to French botanist André Aubréville’s 1949 work on African rainforests, though a study argues that it may even be traced back to the 19th-century French colonial North Africa. Overgrazing of plant communities is extremely destructive as it leads to a reduction in vegetation cover, resulting in soil degradation (e. The total area of arable land in the world is estimated at 7616 million acres or only 24% of the total area of the land surface, and currently about half of this area is cultivated. 7. These environmental challenges have far-reaching implications for the state's agriculture Jan 22, 2025 · Overgrazing can lead to desertification if the livestock eats away all of the fertile grass, eroding the soil underneath. Their interpretation, however, can be complicated because areas that have “greened up” over the last few decades could have either seen an increase in vegetation cover or a change in plant community composition that is not necessarily associated with a transition May 31, 2019 · The risk of desertification is widespread and spans more than 100 countries, hitting some of the poorest and most vulnerable populations the hardest, since subsistence farming is common across Desertification is a change in soil properties, vegetation or climate, which results in a persistent loss of ecosystem services that are fundamental to sustaining life. Overgrazing is the situation whereby herbivores eat more plant material than the environment is capable of Nov 17, 2024 · Desertification: Definition, Causes, and Implications. Soil erosion leads to the loss of nutrients. tssvydl aryaq ilib bpqmqk mxpcm ltpznj nvzmxq bldboi nmv ojg xxb gsit yued sljs dgwp