Desertification: Definition, Problem and Prevention

In 1949 Auguste Aubréville used the term ‘desertification‘ to describe his observations of areal expansion in the Saharan desert. In 1977 the United Nations Organization held a conference to discuss the problems caused by desertification and its remedies.

Definition of Desertification

“Although desertification can include the encroachment of sand dunes on land, it doesn’t refer to the advance of deserts. Rather, it is the persistent degradation of dryland ecosystems by human activities – including unsustainable farming, mining, overgrazing and clear-cutting of land – and by climate change” – UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).

Causes of Desertification

The degradation of land around the arid desert zone is a combined result of human, economic, political and climatic factors. Mostly, poverty is held responsible for a negative chain reaction in the delicate ecosystem of these regions.

Overexploitation of soil through intensive farming, overgrazing, and destruction of natural vegetation for fodder and fuel are considered the main reasons. Once the soil loses its fertility or vegetation cover, the barren surface is exposed to wind action, and its top may be lost.

Also, in some cases, the wind blows adjoining desert sand and encroaches upon the non-desert areas. About 50 million people are threatened with displacement due to desertification.

Impacts of Desertification

• 2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture, but 52% of the agricultural land is moderately or severely affected by soil degradation.
• Land degradation affects 1.5 billion people globally.
• Loss of arable land is estimated at 30 to 35 times the historical rate.
• Due to drought and desertification, each year, 12 million hectares are lost (23 hectares/minute), where 20 million tons of grain could have been grown.
• 74% of the poor (42% of the very and 32% of the moderately poor) are directly affected by land degradation globally.

Source

Remedies for Desertification

Sustainable agriculture practices, water conservation and rain harvesting, are some suggestions to improve soil quality. Reforestation and checking to overgraze are solutions for preventing soil erosion, as plant roots bind soil particles together. Tall tree lines are planted to break the wind speed and protect against encroaching sand from deserts.

Combating Desertification

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India:

• The 2006 mapping for the first national map on land degradation shows that out of the 28.5 mha area in Rajasthan and Gujarat, 87% area is degraded, mainly by wind (57%) and water (13%) erosion.
• The State of Rajasthan has used CAZRI’s technology to stabilise sand dunes through vegetative means to stabilize more than 400,000 ha area of menacing sand dunes.
• Technologies have also been developed for shelterbelts, border row plantations, and tree/shrub belts alternating with crop/grass rows to utilize local resources for food, fuel, fodder, fruits, and minor forest products like gum, etc.

Source: Elucidation of the 4th National Report Submitted to UNCCD Secretariat 2010. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, 2011.

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