Desertification Jedidah Jackson
What is it? Desertification is “the processes by which an area becomes a desert, usually involving drought combined with the overexploitation of existing plant life” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary)
What does that mean? It means that Desertification is when land becomes a desert, because of lack of rain and not enough plant life
What happens to land in Desertification? Demonstration Time! I need 7 volunteers Oh yeah, and Chris, too
What just happened? Chris (the rich top soil) couldn’t be pushed around by the wind very much because of all the plants standing around him However, when the plants weren’t there, Chris went EVERYWHERE
This is what happens in Desertification – there is not enough plant life to keep the rich, fertile top soil where it needs to be Also, there isn’t enough rain to keep the top soil moist The wind comes along and blows the top soil all over the place, exposing the less nutrient-rich soil underneath
Because there is no nutrient-rich top soil, plants have a very hard time growing, because they don’t have enough food to eat This continues the vicious cycle of no plant life to save the top soil from being blown all over by the wind
This is when the land turns into a dry, barren DESERT
That’s only in Africa… No, it isn’t! Desertification is a threat to any place that doesn’t have a lot of rain and has few plants (or has overexploitation of the plants they do have)
Is Oregon at risk for Desertification? What do you think?
What can WE do about Desertification? Brainstorming/thinking shower time! Think about the causes of Desertification and how we can prevent it!
Projects already in Action International Day to Combat Desertification – June 17,
Activity Time!
Resources sciences.fr/english/ala_cite/expositions/eau_pour_tous/img/maitriser_eau/ desert_adritzz.jpg sciences.fr/english/ala_cite/expositions/eau_pour_tous/img/maitriser_eau/ desert_adritzz.jpg sciences.fr/english/ala_cite/expositions/eau_pour_tous/img/maitriser_eau/ desert_adritzz.jpg ertification.jpg ertification.jpg ertification.jpg desertification.jpg desertification.jpg desertification.jpg png png png