Introduction
Desertification is one of the significant environmental problems and a severe obstacle to meeting basic human needs in arid areas. Increased anthropogenic impact and climate variability constantly threaten people in these areas. According to UNESCO: “one-third of the earth’s land area is threatened by desertification, affecting millions of people’s livelihoods depending on the benefits of ecosystems provided by dry lands” (Huang et al., 1386). Therefore, addressing the problem of desertification is essential, especially in the current context of global warming. To achieve this, it is necessary to implement measures that eliminate overgrazing, enhance soil quality, and effectively manage water resources.
Causes of Desertification
Population Growth
Desertification is turning land into a wasteland as soil quality deteriorates over time. Several reasons cause desertification. First of all, it is population growth. People are attracted to jobs in areas where the mining industry and tourism are well-developed.
The increase in population puts more pressure on the environment for resources such as wood and water. If natural resources are on a piece of land, such as natural gas, oil, or minerals, people will come and extract or export them. This usually deprives the soil of nutrients, which kills plant life and eventually leads to the fact that, over time, the desert biome becomes desolate.
Overgrazing
The following reason is overgrazing. An increase in population leads to an expansion of cultivated deserts. Sheep, cattle, and goats deplete vegetation. As a result, the soil is subject to erosion. If too many animals graze excessively in some places, it will be difficult for plants to recover, damaging the biome and causing it to lose its greenery.
Climate Change
Moreover, climate change is the fundamental reason for the increase in population. The global climate is warming, and conditions in desert areas are becoming increasingly arid. On average, “there is less precipitation in desert areas than 50 years ago” (Huang et al., 1390). If efforts are not made to slow climate change, vast areas of the Earth will become deserts; some may even become uninhabitable over time.
Desertification Measures
Tree Planting
Preventive measures are worth taking to prevent the Earth from becoming a desert. First, it is necessary to plant new trees. Tree roots help hold the soil together and reduce soil erosion caused by wind and rain. Planting trees in these areas is significant, as they are “natural repositories of carbon dioxide” (Sterk and Stoorvogel, 12). They slow down global warming and contribute to maintaining the natural balance.
Water Management
The second step is called water resources management. Water can be stored in earthen dams during the rainy season and used for watering plants during the dry season. Bunds are stone circles placed on the ground to retain water in the soil and prevent its rapid spread over the surface. Drip irrigation occurs when “water slowly flows down to the floor from a hole the size of a handle and a hose” (Sterk and Stoorvogel, 11). It reduces water loss, increases efficiency, and can be powered by a solar pump.
Soil Fertilization
Additionally, the final and most crucial step will be to enhance soil quality. It is necessary to encourage people to reduce the number of pasture animals and instead grow crops (Huang et al., 1383). Animal manure can be used to fertilize cultivated crops. Growing crops in this way can improve soil quality because it is held by plant roots and protected from erosion.
Conclusion
What can be done now is to talk about this problem so that as many people as possible are involved in preventing desertification. Therefore, it is essential to engage in reforestation, regulate agriculture, and manage water resources. Thus, the problem of desertification is acute in the modern world. If measures are not taken to address this issue, it can lead to devastating consequences. It is crucial to work jointly to build on these positive foundations, combining leadership, resources, and technology to stop the spread of deserts.
Works Cited
Huang, Jianping, et al. “Global Desertification Vulnerability to Climate Change and Human Activities.” Land Degradation & Development vol. 31 no. 11, 2020, pp. 1380-1391.
Sterk, Geert, and Jetse J. Stoorvogel. “Desertification–Scientific Versus Political Realities.” Land vol. 9 no. 5, 2020, pp. 1-18.