Water Scarcity & Desertification © The GlobalEd 2 Project Photo credit: Natphotos/Getty Images, National Geographic. Africa’s Namib Desert

Essential Questions: 1.What is desertification? 2.Is there a connection between the scarcity of water and desertification? 3.Can we eliminate/reduce desertification? 4.Why should I care about desertification, anyway? © The GlobalEd 2 Project

Enduring Understandings: 1.Desertification occurs when the groundwater table decreases to such a level that it drains an arid or semiarid land of its life-supporting capabilities-  Salt accumulation in the topsoil  Decrease in surface water  Increased erosion  Disappearance of native vegetation © The GlobalEd 2 Project

Enduring Understandings: (continued) 2.Desertification leads to a decline in available ground water. 3.Desertification can be reduced. 4.As there is a finite amount of water on Earth, we must reduce/eliminate things that cause a reduction in available ground water. © The GlobalEd 2 Project

Causes of Desertification Improper crop rotation Inadequate draining or poor irrigation practices Huge demands on ground water Deforestation Drastic decrease in soil nutrients, leading to loss of vegetation cover © The GlobalEd 2 Project

Effects of Desertification Increased frequency of drought Increased frequency of sand/dust storms Greater occurrence of flooding Reduction in available ground water © The GlobalEd 2 Project

Reducing Desertification Proper crop rotation Less water-demanding and drought- resistant crops Reduce soil erosion Reduce over-cultivation, over-grazing Improve land-management techniques © The GlobalEd 2 Project