Numerous studies have long shown that the amount of arable land on the planet is decreasing every year.According to preliminary calculations of scientists, during the last century, about a quarter of the land suitable for processing, out of order.In this article, we will focus on what is desertification, as well as its causes and its impact on the global ecosystem.
general concept
The concept of "desertification" has several synonyms.In particular, it is also called desertification, the Sahel syndrome and progressive formation of deserts.Under this phenomenon is the process of land degradation that occurs in various parts of the world.The main causes of desertification, which are allocated by scientists - it is a human activity and global climate change.As a result, in some areas of the world there are areas where environmental conditions are the same desert.Every year, because of the problem in the world lost about twelve million hectares of fertile land.Moreover, scientists from around the world are witnessing a constant progression of this trend.
recognition problems
first time mankind has realized the seriousness of the problem and started talking about what is desertification, in the early seventies of the last century.The reason was the severe drought in the African Sahel natural area, which led to a disastrous famine in the region.As a result, in 1977, in Nairobi (capital of Kenya) under the auspices of the United Nations held a conference, the main theme of which was to identify the main causes and measures to combat land degradation.
main types of human intervention
As noted above, there are two main causes of desertification - natural factors and human activities.While the first of them can not affect mankind in any way, then the situation can be greatly improved due to the second.The most common activities that lead to the progressive formation of deserts, is grazing, excessive and irrational use of arable land, and massive deforestation in the arid regions of the planet.
Pets
In the above-mentioned UN conference, scientists agreed that the eating of vegetation by livestock is the most common kind of human intervention in nature, leading to desertification.In this case, refers to the fact that now, as well as more than thirty years ago, livestock grazed animals per unit of land in areas with arid climate is significantly overpriced.This leads to the fact that the vegetation thins out continuously, and the soil is loosened.The result is soil erosion, deterioration of plant development and desertification.
Irrational use of arable land
This factor is the second in size and malignancy.More specifically, it is to reduce the rest periods of the earth, and the plowing of land located on the slopes, which leads to increased erosion and reduction of vegetation cover.The situation is aggravated because of the uncontrolled use of pesticides, which is produced at the expense of soil fertilizer.Besides, working on their heavy farm machinery compacts the soil, resulting in the death becomes useful species of living creatures (for example, earthworms).
Deforestation
Another focus of human activity, which leads to the Sahel Syndrome, was the massive deforestation.The most common places where the desertification is for this reason have become densely populated African region, which nowadays wood is an essential energy source.They are considered one of the most arid regions of our planet.The fact that the demand of local residents in the wood for heating and construction, as well as the destruction of forests to increase the amount of arable land has led to the emergence of this global problem here.
natural factors
addition to human activity, there are natural causes of desertification.Under the influence of wind erosion, reduction of soil salinity and connectivity, as well as due to the flushing water, it merely progresses.In addition, the progressive formation of a desert is influenced by natural fluctuations in rainfall as long their absence leads not only to development, but also the beginning of this pernicious process.
impact on the country
Talking about what is desertification, not to mention its negative impact on the economic development of many countries.Some time ago, the World Bank studies have been conducted one of the countries located in the territory of the natural Sahel zone.Their results showed that the reduction in the amount of natural resources caused reduction of its GDP twenty percent.According to another source, the total annual amount of funds that the state loses suffering from this problem, the order of 42 billion US dollars.Another damaging consequence of desertification is a constant occurrence of international conflicts due to violations of citizens borders of neighboring countries in search of water and food.
impact on people
of desertification vary a significant reduction in agricultural productivity, as well as the list of poor crops.Their ecosystem every year worse is able to satisfy basic human needs.In addition, for the regions that are in the area of its influence, became a characteristic increase in the number of sandstorms, the result of which is the development of the local residents of eye infections, allergies and respiratory diseases.
All this, in turn, can not appear detrimental to people living not only in these areas but also outside them.The fact that the Sahel syndrome leads to deterioration in the quality of drinking water, siltation of existing reservoirs, as well as strengthening of sediment in lakes and rivers.In addition, the industry suffers from such as food production.Against the background of the growing number of the world population it can lead to starvation or malnutrition.
methods of struggle
Talking about what is desertification, it should be noted that to deal with this problem is very problematic.To effectively combat the emergence of Sahel syndrome should be taken a range of measures, which include an economic, agricultural, climatic, political and social aspects.
One of the most promising and discussed ways to overcome this problem is considered to be the planting of trees on arable land.This reduces the development of wind erosion and reduce evaporation of moisture from the soil.Furthermore, there are local measures to improve this situation.Quite effective is considered the construction of walls made of clay or stone around the fields to feed the plants.The height of 30-40 cm would be enough to delay precipitation.Most importantly, the local population had at least a basic concept of how to care for these peculiar dams.
Potential problems
summarize, should focus on the fact that subjects such as desertification, measures to combat it and how to prevent it in recent years have increasingly become the main agenda of all kinds of conferences held by the UN.This is not surprising, since land degradation has the potential to affect nearly one billion people on the planet, as well as third of all existing agricultural land.This is especially true in Africa, Australia, South Asia, as well as certain regions of southern Europe.
