Geographical Issue
The desertification of Southern Africa is a rising problem. One third of the world’s land surface is arid or semi-arid and one half of Southern Africa is semi-arid. Africa’s geography makes it vulnerable to climate change, and 70% of the population relies on annual rainfall. Because of its already arid climate and geography, the rate of desertification in Southern Africa is increased drastically. There are several different causes for desertification in Southern Africa, and there are several different effects.
There are several different causes for desertification in Southern Africa. Humans are one of the main causes, because there are so many different ways humans can help speed up the desertification process. Humans overgraze livestock, destroy vegetation, and irrigate water incorrectly. The overgrazing of domesticated animals destroys large amounts of vegetation, and deforestation destroys even larger amounts of vegetation. When an entire forest is cut down it won’t grow back. The lack of vegetation in an arid climate will dry out the land, starting the desertification process. Incorrect irrigation will also speed up desertification because it can deposit salt in soil, which prevents plant growth. Global warming also causes desertification in Southern Africa. The increasing temperature in Southern Africa causes droughts, and when there isn’t any rainfall the land becomes more and more arid.
There are several different effects from the desertification of Southern Africa. Wild animal species, domestic animal species, and humans all are affected by desertification. Some wild animal species whose habitat has been dried out, or taken over by desert, are forced to find a new place to live. Humans who work in agriculture have to find water for both them and their livestock. The amount of arid land in Southern Africa is increasing and some deserts are expanding, and making their way onto agricultural land. The desertification of Southern Africa is turning already semi-arid land to desert, and causing droughts. Southern Africa is drying out and its due to global warming, and ourselves.
~Alex~
There are several different causes for desertification in Southern Africa. Humans are one of the main causes, because there are so many different ways humans can help speed up the desertification process. Humans overgraze livestock, destroy vegetation, and irrigate water incorrectly. The overgrazing of domesticated animals destroys large amounts of vegetation, and deforestation destroys even larger amounts of vegetation. When an entire forest is cut down it won’t grow back. The lack of vegetation in an arid climate will dry out the land, starting the desertification process. Incorrect irrigation will also speed up desertification because it can deposit salt in soil, which prevents plant growth. Global warming also causes desertification in Southern Africa. The increasing temperature in Southern Africa causes droughts, and when there isn’t any rainfall the land becomes more and more arid.
There are several different effects from the desertification of Southern Africa. Wild animal species, domestic animal species, and humans all are affected by desertification. Some wild animal species whose habitat has been dried out, or taken over by desert, are forced to find a new place to live. Humans who work in agriculture have to find water for both them and their livestock. The amount of arid land in Southern Africa is increasing and some deserts are expanding, and making their way onto agricultural land. The desertification of Southern Africa is turning already semi-arid land to desert, and causing droughts. Southern Africa is drying out and its due to global warming, and ourselves.
~Alex~