Ch 7-1 Environmental Geog.- Life in a Fragile World

Culture Hearth…  Many cultural innovations either originated here or passed through here (via trade/invasion) and diffused throughout the world. These innovations include agricultural practices & the development of 3 monotheistic religions. The region has also been a pivotal trade route for centuries, linking Africa, Europe & the rest of Asia.

Varied terrain…  While there are several deserts, the physical features of the region are diverse and include rocky plateaus, mountain ranges, & some well watered highlands as well. (see phys. Geog. Map on p. 278)

“Environmental warfare”  Ex: use of fire to flush out opponents;  Ex: use of defoliants to reveal enemy movements through dense vegetation;  Ex: Iraq set over 700 oil wells in Kuwait on fire in 1 st PG conflict; the fires burned for months & the petroleum released into the desert caused env. Problems.  Ex: Iraq cut off water supply to an area between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers in the north in 1991 forcing many Marsh Arabs out of their settled areas as well as causing famine and drought “ecocide.”

Regions/Descriptions…  MAGHREB: N. African nations of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia; has Med. Coastline & includes Atlas Mts & Sahara; significant as link bet. ME, N. Af & Eur.  INTERIOR N. AFRICA: Libya, Egypt, Sudan; Contains arid Libyan Des. But also fertile lands in Egypt & Sudan b/c of Nile River.

REGIONS/DESCRIPTIONS  LEVANT: Eastern Med. Region is mountainous close to coast & dominated by highlands further inland;  ARABIAN PENINSULA: massive tilted plateau dominated by Saudi Arabia; home to much of the region’s oil $$$  PERSIAN GULF: separates Arabian Peninsula from Iran; Key waterways are Persian Gulf & Strait of Hormuz;

REGIONS/DESCRIPTIONS  IRANIAN PLATEAU: North & East of Arabian Peninsula; 1 of the 2 great elevated areas of the region along with ANATOLIAN PLATEAU (Turkey – landmass that separates Europe & Asia). Both are very rugged & very prone to earthquakes. Elburz Mts., among the highest in the region exceeding 18,000 ft., are in northern Iran

Human & animal adaptation to aridity…  ARIDITY – lacking enough water for things to grow; dry & barren.  Why is this region so dry?? A nearly continuous belt of desert lands stretch across the entire region (text p. 280).  Animals can efficiently store water (ex. Camels can go weeks between water holes)  Animals hunt nocturnally when it cools

Continued…  Humans have settled in the Yemen highlands because it is on the fringe of the summer monsoon belt & receives more rain;  Bedouins live a nomadic lifestyle in the Arabian desert by moving with the animals and following the sparse rain as it replenishes the oases of the region (oasis: a fertile place in a desert)

Mediterranean climate  Ex. 1: the Maghreb. Hot, dry summers alternate with cool, wet winters.  Ex 2: the Levant. This climate makes these areas much more popular for human habitation.  Ex. 3: Iranian & Anatolian plateaus – dry, much cooler temps.

HUMAN INTERACTION WITH THE ENVIRONMENT…  DEFORESTATION & OVERGRAZING  Ancient problem b/c much of the region is too dry for trees; where there is sufficient moisture forests may be found.  Woodlands of Lebanon: under threat of extinction (N)  Upland forests: significantly reduced to create more farmland (N)

Continued…  Heavy grazing of grasslands in Med. Areas (N)  Lumber, pulp & other forest products must be imported which is costly (N)  Deterioration of area’s water supply (N)  Accelerated soil erosion (N)  Several governments have launched reforestation & preservation programs (P)

Salinization  Salinization – the buildup of toxic salts in the soil (exacerbated by heavy use of irrigation).  POSITIVES: salt resistant crop development; desalinization technology is improving & becoming more affordable;  NEGATIVES: desert conditions lead to salinization – that will not change; many acres of arable land will continue to be lost.

MANAGING WATER  This is one of the driest regions on earth so water management has been a long standing issue of concern.  POSITIVES: innovative technology brings water to where it is needed (quanat system; using fossil water; dam projects; desalinization plants). Desalination clip Desalination clipDesalination clip  NEGATIVES: salinization due to over irrigating; tensions between countries over water management plans; loss of arable land due to dams;  HYDROPOLITICS: the interplay of water resource issues & politics.