desertification in the sahel

the Sahel spans __ countries

12

The Sahel is a band if semi-arid land that stretches from _____ to Sudan

Senegal

physical causes of desertification include _____ ________ which lead to soil erosion and recurrent drought.

climactic variations

Climatic variations occur naturally. For example, areas 15-30* north/south of the equator are areas of ____ pressure, however most of the air has already precipitated, meaning that hot dry air occurs here.

high

Human causes of desertification include:

population growth,

overgrazing and over-cultivation,

global warming,

deforestation.

The Sahel has one of the fastest growing populations in the world with annual rates of _-_%

2-4

In some Sahelian countries such as Niger fertility rates are as high as __ per woman

6.2

Approximately __% of Niger’s population is under the age of 15. This makes it hard to implement long term changes, and is often a result of food and water scarcity, and disease.

50

Between 1975-2013 the area of cultivated land in western-sahelian countries more than doubled to _._ million km²

1.1

The Sahel is warming as approximately _._x the global average, creating positive feedback loops which amplify desertification, worsening its effects.

1.5

From 1990-2010 Mali experienced an avg annual forest loss of _____ Ha

80,000

Nigeria has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world at _._%

3.5

In ______ ____, 1/3 of the land has been degraded, promoting further desertification.

Burkina Faso

vegetation loss causes reduced biodiversity since species are unable to ______ quickly enough.

adapt

desertification leads to reduced agricultural _________ and food security

productivity

In Niger there has been a __% decline in food production as a result of desertification.

40

dryer soils lead to more frequent dust storms affecting the _______ health of people in the Sahel.

respiratory

Lack of _____ due to desertification leads to poor hygiene, diseases and dehydration.

water

deforestation leads to a ________ feedback loop of poverty and unemployment:

poor soil fertility> poor yields> less money> less taxes and reinvestment> less money for services such as healthcare and education> less innovation> further over exploitation of land and resources> increased soil erosion> poorer soil fertility

positive

small scale projects include:

FMNR,

stone bunds,

agroforestry,

rainwater harvesting,

fuel efficient stoves

FMNR (______ ________ ______ ___________) Involves encouraging farmers to allow naturally occurring roofs and stumps to regrow.

farmer managed natural regeneration

FMNR is low cost and has successfully helped to restore over _ million Ha of land in Niger.

5

Stone Bunds are lines of stones placed ____ ________ of the land to reduce SEO and subsequent soil erosion.

along contours

Agro-forestry is allowing trees to grow alongside crops and livestock. Benefits include increased _______ _______, interception and protection from aeolian processes. All of which promoting even greater soil health and fertility.

nutrient cycling

Rainwater harvesting involves small scale, rooftop irrigation systems which can be used for drinking or for crops, which reduces the pressures on ______________ ________.

groundwater stores

Fuel efficient stoves reduce the demand for fuelwood, meaning reduced rates of deforestation, benefitting the soil and not reducing ______ __________.

carbon sequestration

The Great Green Wall (GGW) was set up in 2007 by the _______ _____.

African Union

The GGW project aims to restore a band of ____ million Ha of land by 2030

100

The GGW project has so dad restore ___ of its target area.

1/5

The GGW project has created over _______ jobs

350,000

The GGW project has resulted in increased vegetation and ___ ______ in successfully restored areas.

food security

As of 2023, only __% of the original goal has been completed and if the current rate of progress continued, the 2030 goal will not be reached.

20

lack of coherent planning between countries has lead to ___________.

inconsistencies

Inconsistent monitoring between countries has lead to varied success of the GGW.

EG in Senegal (early effort)

trees only had a __% survival rate, since there was a lack of monitoring and care as well as non-native species being used.

15

Inconsistent monitoring between countries has lead to varied success of the GGW.

EG Ethiopia

trees have had close to a 90% survival rate, due to _________ ________ and initiatives, use of native species and continued monitoring.

community involvement