Desert encroachment
Desert encroachment is the extension or spread of desert to the areas which were not desert before. Desert encroachment is also called desertification and is the change of an area covered by vegetation into one with scarcity or no vegetation
Desert encroachment reduces the ability of land to support life, affecting domestic animals, agricultural crops, wild species, and people. The reduction in plant cover that accompanies desertification leads to accelerated soil erosion by water and wind
Causes of desertification
- Overgrazing
- The absence of rain for a long time
- Deforestation
- climate change
- urbanization
- tillage practices in agriculture
- overuse of groundwater
Effects of desertification
- Desertification leads to loss of life
- It leads loss of properties
- It leads to loss of vegetation
- It causes famine and hunger
- limits the production of wood
- it reduces the production of crops