GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH

NAME: ISAAC
SURNAME: MAJA
SCHOOL NAME: SERUANE SECONDARY
YEAR: 2024
GRADE: 11B
TOPIC: ATMOSPHERE- THE CONSEQUENCES/IMPACT THAT
DROUGHT AND DESERTIFICATION HAS ON PEOPLE AND THE
ENVIRONMENT
1. Definition of droughts and desertification

Drought:

Is a period of drier than normal conditions. Droughts can last for days, months or years.
Droughts often have a significant impact on the ecology and agriculture of affected
areas and take a toll on local economies. The annual dry season in the tropics greatly
increases the risk of developing drought and subsequent wildfires. Hot periods can
exacerbate drought conditions by accelerating evaporation of water vapour. The South
African weather service defines a drought as a period of 12 months when total rain

received is below 75% of the average.

Desertification:

Is a type of dryland degradation in which natural processes or human activities result in

loss of biological productivity and drying of fertile areas. This is an expanse of dryland
caused by a variety of factors, including Land Overexploitation due to climate change
and human activities.

2. Design where the risk of droughts and desertification is in Africa.

Drought in Africa:

Desertification in Africa:
Causes and consequences of drought and desertification

Causes of drought:

 Lack of precipitation: When there is a prolonged period of below-average rainfall,

it can lead to drought conditions.
 High temperatures: Increased temperatures can result in higher evaporation
rates, drying out soil and vegetation
 Human temperatures: Increased temperatures can result in higher evaporation
rates, drying out soil and vegetation.
.
Consequences of drought:

 Crop failure: Drought can lead to poor crop yields, food shortages, and economic
losses for farmers.
 Water scarcity: Drought reduces water availability for drinking, irrigation, and
industrial use, causing water scarcity.
 Wildfires: Drier conditions during drought increase the risk of wildfires,
threatening ecosystems and human settlements.
 Health impacts: Drought can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and the spread of
water-borne diseases due to limited access to clean water.
Causes of Desertification:

 Overgrazing: Excessive grazing of livestock can degrade vegetation cover,

leading to soil erosion and desertification.
 Deforestation: Clearing of forests for agriculture or urban development reduces
the land’s ability to retain water and support plant life.
 Climate change: Shifts in climate patterns, such as prolonged droughts and
increased temperatures, can accelerate desertification processes.
Consequences of desertification:

 Soil degradation: Desertification depletes soil nutrients, reduces fertility, and

increases the risk of erosion.
 Loss of biodiversity: Desertification results in the loss of plant and animal species
that depend on healthy ecosystems.
 Decline in agricultural productivity: Desertification makes land unsuitable for
farming, reducing food production and livelihood opportunities for communities.
 Migration and conflict: Desertification can force people to migrate in search of
resources, leading to conflicts over limited land and water
3. The negative impact that droughts and desertification has on people, economy and
the environment

Drought: Impact on the people

 Droughts can lead to water shortages, affecting access to clean drinking water
for communities.
 Agriculture is heavily impacted, leading to crop failures, food shortages, and
increased prices.
 Droughts can also result in health issues like malnutrition, dehydration, and the
spread of diseases due to limited water availability
Impact on the economy:

 The agriculture sector suffers greatly during droughts, leading to decreased crop
yields and livestock losses, which can result in economic hardship for farmers
and food insecurity for the population.
 Industries that rely on water, such as manufacturing and energy production, may
face production disruptions and increased costs.
 Tourism, especially in areas affected by droughts, can decline due to
environmental degradation and water scarcity, impacting local economies.
Impact on the environment:
 Droughts can lead to soil erosion, desertification, and loss of biodiversity as
ecosystems struggle to survive with limited water resources.
 Wildfires become more frequent and intense during droughts, causing damage to
forests, wildlife habitats, and air quality.
 Water sources like rivers, lakes, and groundwater reserves an be depleted or
contaminated, affecting aquatic life and overall ecosystem health.
Desertification: Impact on the people

 Desertification can lead to food insecurity as arable land turns into unproductive
desert, reducing agricultural productivity and affecting the livelihoods of
communities.
 Communities living in areas affected by desertification may face water scarcity
and struggle to access clean drinking water, leading to health issues and conflicts
over resources.
 Migration may increase as people are forced to leave their homes in search of
better living conditions, putting pressure on urban areas and potentially leading to
social unrest.
Impact on the economy:
 Desertification can result in loss of income and jobs in the agricultural sector, as
land becomes unsuitable for farming, leading to economic hardship for farmers
and rural communities.
 Decreased agricultural productivity can lead to higher food prices and increased
import dependency, affecting the overall economy and potentially leading to
inflation
 Tourism in regions affected by desertification may decline due to environmental
degradation and loss of biodiversity, impacting local economies that rely on
tourism revenue.
Impact on the environment:

 Desertification results in soil erosion, loss of vegetation, and degradation of

ecosystems, leading to decreased biodiversity and ecosystem services.
 Climate change can be exacerbated by desertification, as degraded land
contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and reduced carbon sequestration,
further impacting global environmental systems
 Water sources like rivers and lakes may be affected by desertification, leading to
reduced water quality and availability for both human populations and wildlife.
4. Suggest management strategies for droughts and desertification:

 Water conservation: Implementing water-saving techniques such as drip

irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and efficient water management practices can
help conserve water during drought periods.
 Reforestation and afforestation: Planting trees and vegetation can help prevent
soil erosion, improve soil quality, and combat desertification by increasing
vegetation cover.
 Soil conservation: Adopting soil conservation practices like contour ploughing,
terracing, and cover cropping can help reduce soil erosion and maintain soil
fertility in arid regions.
 Sustainable land management: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices such
as crop rotation, agroforestry, and integrated pest management can help improve
soil health and resilience to drought conditions.
 Drought-resistant crops: Cultivating drought-resistant crop varieties that require
less water can help farmers adapt to arid conditions and mitigate the impact of
droughts on agricultural productivity.
 Community-based initiatives: Encouraging community participation in natural
resource management and sustainable land use planning can foster local
resilience to droughts and desertification.
Conclusion:
Drought and desertification are significant environmental challenges that have wide-
ranging and long-term impacts. Drought can lead to water shortages, crop failures, and
negative effects on agriculture and biodiversity, while desertification can result in the
loss of productive land and displacement of communities. These phenomena are often
exacerbated by climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land use practices. It
is essential to address these issues through sustainable land management,
conservation efforts, and global cooperation to mitigate their consequences and ensure
the long-term health and viability of ecosystems and communities around the world.

Bibliography:

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