How Human Activities Are Responsible For Desertification?

WHAT IS DESERTIFICATION?

Desertification is the process of degradation of fertile land into arid land. There are natural as well as man made causes for desertification. For example some natural causes includes climate change, drought etc. Some of man made causes includes deforestation, overgrazing ,poor farming practices, exploitation of natural resources etc.

A very good example of desertification was Sahara desert. Approximately 6000 years ago Sahara desert was covered by vegetation and it is now the largest desert of the world.

Let we take a look on how HUMAN factors are directly responsible for desertification.

1.Deforestation- Deforestation is the most important cause of Desertification. It leads to soil erosion and land degradation from which soil becomes less fertile and unsuitable for growing crops. Eventually, the land converts into desert.

                                Soil erosion and land degradation--->Desertification

2. Poor farming practices- Poor farming practices such as-

MONOCROPPING OR MONOCULTURE is an agricultural activity in which single crop is cultivated again and again in the same land. It leads to excessive use of fertilizers which ultimately leads to depletion of soil.

INEFFICIENCY IN IRRIGATION leads to salinization of soil.

POOR IRRIGATION MANAGMENT leads to water logging and loss of nutrients.

OVERDEPENDECE ON CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES

These factors are directly responsible for Desertification as it is contributing in loss of vegetation.

3. Excessive exploitation of natural resources- It can include overgrazing, irresponsible vegetation management, irresponsible water management etc.

4. Urbanization- Urbanization leads to clear away vegetation.

5.Growth of larger industries- It is responsible for deforestation activities. The emissions from industries also leads to trigger some natural factors air pollution, climate change etc. that causes desertification.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESERTIFICATION AND DESERTISATION

Though these terms can be used interchangeably but carried different meanings. 

The Desertification can be caused by a human or natural factor but Desertisation is strictly a natural causing factor.

CONSEQUENCES OF DESERTIFICATION

1. Loss of vegetation

2.Loss of biodiversity

3.Drought

4.Famine

5.Climatic change and disturbance

SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT DESERTIFICATION--

There are many solutions which can break the process of desertification which are as follows-

Afforestation-By planting more and more trees, we can definitely prevent soil leaching and ultimately it can prevent desertification.

Crop rotation-It is the practice of growing different crops in the same field according to seasons. It increases soil fertility and make the soil rich in nutrients which ultimately prevents desertification. 

Crop diversification-Crop diversification is defined as growing different crops in an area. It helps in sustainable agriculture and in climate change adaptation.

Water management-The efficient usage of water and water budgeting system can make efforts to prevent desert like conditions.

Less industrial emission-The emissions is very much contributed to the climate change and due to this, there are suddenly change in weather conditions all over the world from the past years. It needs to be addressed.