Desertification

12 Pages 2879 Words

redictable climatic variations and unsustainable land use practices by communities who, in their struggle to survive, overexploit agricultural, forest and water resources.
Among the direct causes of desertification, the most frequently cited are overgrazing, deforestation and inappropriate irrigation practices. However, excessive mechanization of agricultural practices, chemical contamination by fertilizers or pesticides and the intensification of single crop agriculture (monoculture), are also factors of land degradation.
The consequences of desertification also vary from place to place. It can start with a loss of income and an increase in poverty. In its worst forms it can potentially lead to famine, migrations, and social conflicts.
The fight against desertification requires the joint involvement of local communities, governments and all actors of civil society in the elaboration and implementation of sustainable development and poverty reduction strategies.
Under the Convention, developed and developing countries have different responsibilities. Affected developing countries are required to commit adequate resources to the problem and to develop National Action Plans (NAPs) in consultation with affected communities and key players. Given the complexity of the problem of desertification, emphasis must be placed on the creation of an "enabling environment", which might include: good governance, legal and administrative reform, economic incentives, improved infrastructure, and adjustments to natural resource management practices.


http://www.geographyiq.com/countries/mr/Mauritania_geography.htm

WITHIN THE LAST DECADE or so, 25 countries in Africa have faced drastic food shortages as a result of the extended drought.
The reduced capacity for food production has brought a population of over 200 million people to the verge of calamity. Some have died of starvation, and among the survivors, especially the children and young p...