JUNE 18, 2021
Forest degradation and desertific
Social Sciences: Geography
Luke Adams
23788259
Stellenbosch University
Desertification
Desertification refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas.
It results from various factors, which includes climatic variations and human activities
(Geist & Lambin, 2004). Desertification is not only significant environmental problem,
but a global ecological one as well.
Causes And Effects of Desertification in Africa
Desertification has become a global problem which has multiple causes and effects.
Africa is the most effected continent by desertification (Rafferty, 2020). Those that
live in the countries that are situated on the edge of the Sahara are amongst the
poorest people in the world. They are also subject to periodic droughts, resulting in
devastating effects (Rafferty, 2020).
There are plenty of human causes which results in desertification. These causes can
have devastating effects. One of the leading causes of desertification in Africa is the
human population pressure. This leads to overexploitation, as well as intensified
stresses on the natural environment (Darkoh, 1989). The population in Africa has
increased immensely, thus increasing the amount of people the farmers in Africa
need to feed. There will therefore be a growing demand for land for crop production
and for wood for fuel, as a result of the rapid population growth, high population
densities and rapid urbanization (Darkoh, 1989). The rapid population growth also
increases the use of land in economies that are dependent on rainfed cultivation
(Darkoh, 1989). The increased population pressure on the delicate and vulnerable
soils of the dryland regions in Africa can lead to upsetting effects. These include the
overexploitation of water, forest, land and pasture resources which happens through
the processes of overcultivation, overgrazing and deforestation (Darkoh, 1989). The
livelihoods of numerous people are therefore put at risk due to these practices.
There has thus been a decline in production, as well as intensified food insecurity
due to the degradation of productive lands (Darkoh, 1989). This is particularly
applicable in countries in Africa such as Sudan, western Madagascar, and central
Tanzania (Darkoh, 1989).
Desertification in Africa is also caused by variations in climate. As many countries in
Africa consist of arid and semiarid ecosystems, they receive a scarce amount of
rainfall. Extended droughts can therefore occur and rapidly reduce the biological
productivity of those ecosystems as a result of the climatic change (Rafferty, 2020).
The longevity of these changes varies, as some may only be temporary and last for
a season whilst others last for years.
The above mentioned causes and effects can be seen occurring in countries in
Africa such as the following: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Northern Nigeria and
Somalia.
Ways of Reducing and Preventing Deforestation
There are various ways that one could reduce and prevent deforestation. This
includes the following:
Plant a tree. Planting a tree helps to combat global warming, as well as helps
to reduce run off water from the hills (Slavikova, 2018). The roots of the tree
also prevent landslides and rockslides which could cause a great deal of
damage and harm.
Minimize your paper usage. The paper industry consumes a large number
of trees. By decreasing the amount of paper you use, you will decrease your
contribution to the loss of forests (Slavikova, 2018).
Use recycled products. By recycling, you are lowering the demand for more
timber, as well as reducing the amount of waste entering landfills (Slavikova,
2018).
Avoid burning firewood excessively. There is a large percentage of people
who make use of and rely on firewood to cook and heat their homes. In many
poor areas near villages and towns, vulnerable forests are cut for fuel well
before they are given the opportunity to regenerate. Mismanagement such as
this could result in the total disappearance of trees in an area (Slavikova,
2018).
Raise awareness. Problems such as deforestation often continues to occur
due to a lack of awareness and sufficient knowledge of the issue. It is
therefore important to educate people about the effects of deforestation, as
well as the effects of their actions (Slavikova, 2018).
In Sub-Saharan Africa, some of the proposed solutions to combat deforestration
include “regulating the logging industry, developing forest protection schemes, and
addressing human activities that promote deforestation” (Agyei, 1998).
Bibliography
Agyei, Y., 1998. Deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Technology Forum,
8(1), p. 1.
Darkoh, M. B. K., 1989. THE NATURE, CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
OFDESERTIFICATION IN THE DRYLANDS OF AFRICA. Journal of Eastern African
Research & Development, 19(1), pp. 1-50.
Geist, H. & Lambin, E., 2004. Dynamic Causal Patterns of Desertification.
BioScience, 54(9), pp. 817-829.
Rafferty, J. P., 2020. Britannica. [Online]
Available at: [Link]
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Slavikova, S. P., 2018. Greentumble. [Online]
Available at: [Link]
[Accessed 18 June 2021].