Hi, welcome to this blog on the Title: Causes of desert encroachment.
Table Of Contents
- Meaning of desert encroachment.
- Causes of desert encroachment.
- Effects of desert encroachment.
- Control of desert encroachment.
- Revision Questions.
Meaning Of Desert Encroachment
Meaning: Desert encroachment is the extension or spread of the Desert to areas which were originally not deserts before.
- It is common in areas very close to deserts, e.g, Sahel regions in northern Nigeria like Maiduguri, Damaturu, Sokoto and Birnin kabi.
- North-East of Nigeria
- Southern Nigeria.
- North-West of Nigeria.
Causes of Desert Encroachment
- Overgrazing: The excessive removal of the grasses by animals leave the soil bare to deserve encroachment.
- Changes in climate: Desert encroachment may also occur when there are changes in the climate of a place from partial wet climate to dry one.
- Bush Burning: This exposes the soil, thereby encouraging desert encouragement.
- High speed of winds: High speed of winds across the desert carries sand and deposits them on the land, e.g, harmattan winds.
- Shift in climatic belt: The shifting of climatic belt from one place to another may encourage desert encouragement.
- Deforestation: The cutting down of trees can also encourage desert encroachment. [Visit here on the effects of deforestation].
- Prolonged drought: Desert encroachment can also be caused as a result of prolonged drought or weather in an area where there is long period of time without rain.
- Over-cultivation: Over-cultivation in the desert fringes, (shifting cultivation) can also be responsible for desert encroachment.
Effects Of Desert Encroachment
- Desert Encroachment can lead to displacement of people and settlement.
- It leads to crop failure or poor yield of crops.
- It can affect serious farming activities.
- It can cause the loss of pasture or livestock.
- It can result in hot and dusty environment.
- It leads to shortage of water for animals and human consumption.
- It can expose the soil to wind erosion.
- It leads to loss of vegetation.
- It leads to climate changes.
- It can lead to loss of agricultural lands.
- It can bring about farmine and hunger.
- It can lead to loss of animals and human beings by death.
- It can also lower the water table in the area.
Control Of Desert Encroachment
- Afforestation: The planting of trees can control this problem.
- Irrigation: Irrigation which is the artificial application of water to land encourages the growth of vegetation.
- Creation of shelter belts: The setting up of shelter belts can reduce the wind speed, thereby discouraging desert encroachment.
- Cover cropping: The planting of legumes to cover the soil can also reduce desert encroachment.
- Rotational grazing: The rotation of farm animals on Pasture can also reduce desert encroachment.
- Legislation against Bush burning: Laws should be made against Bush burning so as to prevent desert encroachment. [Visit here for effects of bush bushing].
- Controlled tree felling: The rate of tree felling or deforestation should be strictly controlled.
- Controlled the use of wood as fuel: The use of wood as fuel should be discouraged as the practice encourages deforestation.
- Environmental education: The people in the affected areas should be educated on the danger of desert encroachment and how it can be prevented or controlled.
READ ALSO – Desertification in Nigeria: Causes, Effects, and Solutions
Revision Questions
- (a) What is desert encroachment? (b) outline five causes of desert encroachment. (c) outline any five effects of desert encroachment. (d) state five control of desert encroachment.