Flashcards
Desertification
Cards in this deck (14)
- 1Where are hot deserts foundThey are found 30 degrees North and South of the equator like the Sahara, Thar and Naamib to name a few. They receive less than 250mm of rainfall each year
- 2Hot Desert CharacteristicsHot deserts have low rainfall, hot temperatures in the day and very cold temperatures at night, the soil tends to be salty and sandy or stony with limited vegetation. There is a wide range of planst and animals, however, they need to be adapted to survive in those conditions.
- 3Animal AdaptionsAnimals have adapted to retain moisture like camels who can go days without it and snakes and lizards which have skin that keeps in water. Rodents are also nocturnal to evade the hot temperatures of the day.
- 4Plant AdaptionsPlants have small leaves , spines and waxy surfaces to reduce transpiration. They also can store water in their roots, stems, leaves and fruits. Seeds can lay dormant and germinate quickly if it suddenly rains. They have long roots which can reach low down moisture in the ground.
- 5Thar DesertIs 30 degrees North of the equator and is in the north west of India and into parts of Pakistan.
- 6Opportunities for Development in the Thar DesertMineral Extraction - They have valuable resources like gypsum and feldspar which can be used or exported.
Tourism - The beautiful landscapes, safaris and festivals all attract foreigners to the Thar desert.
Energy - Oil and coal deposits found and solar and wind energy due to exposure i desert.
Farming - Most people are subsistence farmers. Commercial farming possible to due to irrigation from Ghandi canal. - 7High TemperaturesHigh temperatures make physical work hard, especially for those working outside like farmers. The temperatures also cause water shortages. Livestock require shade and plants and animals must adapt.
- 8Water SupplyAnnual rainfall is low and water evaporates. Farming and industry have increased water demand. Sources of water could be - Storage ponds, rivers or streams and wells to underground sources. So irrigation from Ghandi canal is important for crops and for drinking.
- 9AccessebilityBarren areas and harsh weather conditions make the road network limited as the tarmac can melt and sand can blow over roads meaning camel is the only real way to travel.
- 10DesertificationDesertification is where land is gradually turned into a desert and it mainly happens on the edge of already existing deserts. Its a result of both natural droughts and human events. It can affect both rich and poor countries. A slight change in temperature and rainfall can make a country more susceptible to desertification.
- 11Causes of DesertificationClimate change - Drier conditions and less rainfall.
Overgrazing - Limited vegetation supporting to many animals.
Over cultivation - More people needing food, which exhausts the soil turning it into dust.
Fuel wood - Trees that are stripped of branches die if there is too big of a demand,
Salinisation - Rapid evaporation from bad irrigation causes salt build up on the surface.
Soil erosion - Destroyed vegetation exposes soil which cracks and breaks up making it vulnerable to erosion from wind and rain. - 12Managing the DesertificationWater and soil management - careful management of irrigation.
Ponding banks - low walls enclose areas of land that store water.
Contour Traps - embankments that stop soil being washed away.
National park status - gives protection to a place if its at risk.
Tree Planting - Planting trees helps so soil erosion as it keeps the soil together, also provides fuel wood and shade. - 13Appropriate TechnologyPractical and sustainable approaches to farming that address the needs of poor people who cannot afford the expensive machinery to deal with desertification.
Like magic stones that trap water so the farmers can increase their crop yield. - 14—
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- Geography Flashcards on Desertification, created by Oli Dent on 10/04/2018.
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- Oli Dent · Apr 2018
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- Apr 10, 2018
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