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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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