Desertification and Deforestation.pptx

Desertification and Deforestation 2 Related Issues What is desertification? ● Desertification: the process where land changes from being arable (suitable for growing crops) to desert Causes ● Natural ● Climate Change ● Drought ● Human ● Agriculture ● Deforestation ● Development ● What does veg...

Desertification and Deforestation 2 Related Issues What is desertification? ● Desertification: the process where land changes from being arable (suitable for growing crops) to desert Causes ● Natural ● Climate Change ● Drought ● Human ● Agriculture ● Deforestation ● Development ● What does vegetation do for the physical environment? ● Holds soil together ● Holds nutrients into the soil Effects ● Physical Environment ● Lack of fertile soil ● Water is not retained ● Natural Environment ● Biodiversity loss ● Starvation ● Dehydration ● Poverty ● Development difficulties Why is it a global issue? ● These areas have been EXPANDING and the number of people it is affecting is INCREASING ● Drylands = 40% of area with 2 billion people ● NOW 10% of Earth’s land area is degraded with more than 1 billion people at risk ● Sahara desert is expanding SOUTH up to 48 km per year **Historical empire collapses** What is deforestation? ● Deforestation: The cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation - Causes ● Human: ● Urbanization, globalization, corruption, population growth ● Agriculture, mining, energy and land development, roads, logging, and fuel ● Poverty - ‘free’ fuelwood as opposed to propane or kerosene ● Natural: ● droughts ● forest fires ● Flooding Effects of Deforestation ● Physical Environment ● Atmospheric increase in greenhouse gasses ● Drier climate and soil erosion → unstable land ● Water filtration ● Natural Environment ● Habitat loss and fragmentation ● Loss of biodiversity → mostly in rainforest HOT SPOTS ● Economy ● Economic development and collapse Why is it a global issue? ● Interactive Deforestation Map (explore and share!) ● Climate change - the crucial role forests play in mitigating the impacts of climate change ● Biodiversity loss - mass extinctions ● Maintaining agricultural land (food shortages) ● Water quality → filtration and purification ● Increased frequency and intensity of storms and other natural disasters Solutions ● Example: Brazil and the Amazon ● Protection ● Indigenous control ● Moratorium ● Education ● Alternative Income→ tourism?