Desertification in Africa

What are the Causes of Desertification?

Desertification describes land getting drier, less fertile and more like a desert. After desertification, it is harder to grow crops and survive in the ecosystem. The main factors that lead to desertification are:

Removal of fuel wood

Logging and cutting down trees to burn as fuel means that an area has fewer trees. This means that soil is not bound to tree roots and is more likely to be washed away.
Removing fuel wood increases soil erosion.

Overgrazing

If livestock eat every plant on a plot of land, then this can again cause soil erosion.
There will be no roots to bind the soil together and plants may struggle to grow again for a very long time.

Over-cultivation

Fallow years are held because planting crops in the same place over and over again uses up all the soil nutrients.
Plants won't be able to grow there in the future and again, soil erosion will happen.

Population growth

Deforestation to build human settlements, expanding livestock grazing grounds and over-cultivation are all side effects of there being more people on Earth.
In 1950, the world's population was 2.5 billion people.
In 2019, the world's population was 7.7 billion people.

Climate change

Rising temperatures caused by human carbon emissions and the greenhouse effect is likely to lead to more desertification.
As temperatures rise and rainfall falls, naturally, more places will become desert-like.
The American Mid-West and Southern European countries could be at risk of this by 2100 if temperatures keep rising.

Soil erosion

A lack of plants in the ground means that exposed soil and nutrients are more easily blown away.
Soil erosion reduces the fertility of land and will reduce the efficiency of food production, causing problems for many countries.

Desertification

Desertification is when land becomes drier and loses productivity. There are several different causes of desertification.

Removal of fuel wood

People in dry areas use wood for fuel.
By removing wood, soils are more exposed and so soil erosion increases.

Overgrazing

If there are too many livestock grazing in an area, plants can't grow fast enough to keep up with the rate of consumption.
The plants will stop holding the soil together and so soil erosion increases.
Another way in which animals increase soil erosion is by trampling.

Over-cultivation

Continued planting of crops in the same place leads to soil nutrients running out.
Eventually, crops will not be able to survive in these areas. Without these plants to hold the soil together, soil erosion will increase.

Population growth

Pressure on the land increases when populations grow.
- This leads to more removal of fuelwood, overgrazing and over-cultivation, along with all the associated side effects.

Climate change

Temperatures are expected to increase globally in the coming decades. Higher temperatures mean increased evaporation, and increased evaporation means drier soils and more plant death.
Rainfall is expected to decrease in already dry areas. Less rain means more plants will die because of a lack of water, and fewer plants mean more soil erosion because there are fewer roots holding the soil together.

Soil erosion

Exposed soil and the nutrients within are removed by water and wind.
The loss of nutrients reduces the productivity of the soil until eventually, the ground becomes more and more desert-like.

1Geography Skills

1.1Mapping

1.1.1Map Making

1.1.2OS Maps

1.1.3Grid References

1.1.4Contour Lines

1.1.5Symbols, Scale and Distance

1.1.6Directions on Maps

1.1.7Describing Routes

1.1.8Map Projections

1.1.9Aerial & Satellite Images

1.1.10Using Maps to Make Decisions

1.2Geographical Information Systems

1.2.1Geographical Information Systems

1.2.2How do Geographical Information Systems Work?

1.2.3Using Geographical Information Systems

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

2.1The UK's Rocks

2.1.1The UK's Main Rock Types

2.1.2The UK's Landscape

2.1.3Using Rocks

2.1.4Weathering

2.2Case Study: The Peak District

2.2.1The Peak District

2.2.2Limestone Landforms

2.2.3Quarrying

3Geography of the World

3.1Geography of America & Europe

3.1.1North America

3.1.2South America

3.1.3Europe

3.1.4The European Union

3.1.5The Continents

3.1.6The Oceans

3.1.7Longitude

3.1.8Latitude

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Geography of the World

4Development

4.1Development

4.1.1Classifying Development

4.1.2GDP

4.1.3Evaluation of GDP

4.1.4The Human Development Index

4.1.5Population Structure

4.1.6Developing Countries

4.1.7Emerging Countries

4.1.8Developed Countries

4.1.9Comparing Development

4.2Uneven Development

4.2.1Consequences of Uneven Development

4.2.2Physical Factors Affecting Development

4.2.3Historic Factors Affecting Development

4.2.4Human & Social Factors Affecting Development

4.2.5Breaking Out of the Poverty Cycle

4.3Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo

4.3.1The DRC: An Overview

4.3.2Political & Social Factors Affecting Development

4.3.3Environmental Factors Affecting the DRC

4.3.4The DRC: Aid

4.3.5The Pros & Cons of Aid in DRC

4.3.6Top-Down vs Bottom-Up in DRC

4.3.7The DRC: Comparison with the UK

4.3.8The DRC: Against Malaria Foundation

4.4Case Study: Nigeria

4.4.1The Importance & Development of Nigeria

4.4.2Nigeria's Relationships with the Rest of the World

4.4.3Urban Growth in Lagos

4.4.4Population Growth in Lagos

4.4.5Factors influencing Nigeria's Growth

4.4.6Nigeria: Comparison with the UK

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

6.1Tourism

6.1.1Landscapes

6.1.2The Growth of Tourism

6.1.3Benefits of Tourism

6.1.4Economic Costs of Tourism

6.1.5Social, Cultural & Environmental Costs of Tourism

6.1.6Tourism Case Study: Blackpool

6.1.7Ecotourism

6.1.8Tourism Case Study: Kenya

7Natural Resources

7.1Rocks

7.1.1What are Rocks?

7.1.2Types of Rock

7.1.3Fuel

7.1.4The Rock Cycle - Weathering

7.1.5The Rock Cycle - Erosion

7.1.6What is Soil?

7.1.7Soil Profiles

7.1.8Water

7.1.9Global Water Demand

7.2Fossil Fuels

7.2.1Introduction to Fossil Fuels

7.2.2Fossil Fuels

7.2.3The Global Energy Supply

7.2.4Oil

7.2.5What is Peak Oil?

7.2.6End of Topic Test - Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

9.1Formation of Coastal Landforms

9.1.1Weathering

9.1.2Erosion

9.1.3Headlands & Bays

9.1.4Caves, Arches & Stacks

9.1.5Wave-Cut Platforms & Cliffs

9.1.6Waves

9.1.7Longshore Drift

9.1.8Coastal Deposition

9.1.9Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

9.2Coast Management

9.2.1Management Strategies for Coastal Erosion

9.2.2Case Study: The Holderness Coast

9.2.3Case Study: Lyme Regis

9.2.4End of Topic Test - Coasts

10Glaciers

10.1Overview of Glaciers & How They Work

10.1.1Distribution of Glaciers

10.1.2Types of Glaciers

10.1.3The Last Ice Age

10.1.4Formation & Movement of Glaciers

10.1.5Shaping of Landscapes by Glaciers

10.1.6Glacial Landforms Created by Erosion

10.1.7Glacial Till & Outwash Plain

10.1.8Moraines

10.1.9Drumlins & Erratics

10.1.10End of Topic Tests - Glaciers

10.1.11Tourism in Glacial Landscapes

10.1.12Strategies for Coping with Tourists

10.1.13Case Study - Lake District: Tourism

10.1.14Case Study - Lake District: Management

11Tectonics

11.1Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics

11.1.1The Theory of Plate Tectonics

11.1.2The Structure of the Earth

11.1.3Tectonic Plates

11.1.4Plate Margins

11.2Volcanoes

11.2.1Volcanoes & Their Products

11.2.2The Development of Volcanoes

11.2.3Living Near Volcanoes

11.3Earthquakes

11.3.1Overview of Earthquakes

11.3.2Consequences of Earthquakes

11.3.3Case Study: Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake

11.4Tsunamis

11.4.1Formation of Tsunamis

11.4.2Case Study: Japan 2010 Tsunami

11.5Managing the Risk of Volcanoes & Earthquakes

11.5.1Coping With Earthquakes & Volcanoes

11.5.2End of Topic Test - Tectonics

12Climate Change

12.1The Causes & Consequences of Climate Change

12.1.1Evidence for Climate Change

12.1.2Natural Causes of Climate Change

12.1.3Human Causes of Climate Change

12.1.4The Greenhouse Effect

12.1.5Effects of Climate Change on the Environment

12.1.6Effects of Climate Change on People

12.1.7Climate Change Predictions

12.1.8Uncertainty About Future Climate Change

12.1.9Mitigating Against Climate Change

12.1.10Adapting to Climate Change

12.1.11Case Study: Bangladesh

13Global Population & Inequality

13.1Global Populations

13.1.1World Population

13.1.2Population Structure

13.1.3Ageing Populations

13.1.4Youthful Populations

13.1.5Population Control

13.1.6Mexico to USA Migration

13.1.7End of Topic Test - Development & Population

14Urbanisation

14.1Urbanisation

14.1.1Rural Characterisitcs

14.1.2Urban Characteristics

14.1.3Urbanisation Growth

14.1.4The Land Use Model

14.1.5Rural-Urban Pull Factors

14.1.6Rural-Urban Push Factors

14.1.7The Impacts of Migration

14.1.8Challenges of Urban Areas in Developed Countries

14.1.9Challenges of Urban Areas in Developing Countries

14.1.10Urban Sustainability

14.1.11Case Study: China's Urbanisation

14.1.12Major UK Cities

14.1.13Urbanisation in the UK

14.1.14End of Topic Test- Urbanisation

14.1.15End of Topic Test - Urban Issues

15Ecosystems

15.1The Major Biomes

15.1.1Distribution of Major Biomes

15.1.2What Affects the Distribution of Biomes?

15.1.3Biome Features: Tropical Forests

15.1.4Biome Features: Temperate Forests

15.1.5Biome Features: Tundra

15.1.6Biome Features: Deserts

15.1.7Biome Features: Tropical Grasslands

15.1.8Biome Features: Temperate Grasslands

15.2Case Study: The Amazon Rainforest

15.2.1Interdependence of Rainforest Ecosystems

15.2.2Nutrient Cycling in Tropical Rainforests

15.2.3Deforestation in the Amazon

15.2.4Impacts of Deforestation in the Amazon

15.2.5Protecting the Amazon

15.2.6Adaptations of Plants to Rainforests

15.2.7Adaptations of Animals to Rainforests

16Life in an Emerging Country

16.1Case Studies

16.1.1Mumbai: Opportunities

16.1.2Mumbai: Challenges

17Analysis of Africa

17.1Africa

17.1.1Desert Biomes in Africa

17.1.2The Semi-Desert Biome

17.1.3The Savanna Biome

17.1.4Overview of Tropical Rainforests

17.1.5Colonisation History

17.1.6Population Distribution in Africa

17.1.7Economic Resources in Africa

17.1.8Urbanisation in Africa

17.1.9Africa's Location

17.1.10Physical Geography of Africa

17.1.11Desertification in Africa

17.1.12Reducing the Risk of Desertification

17.1.13Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Opportunities

17.1.14Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Development

18Analysis of India

18.1India - Physical Geography

18.1.1Geographical Location of India

18.1.2Physical Geography of India

18.1.3India's Climate

18.1.4Natural Disasters in India

18.1.5Case Study: The Thar Desert

18.1.6Case Study: The Thar Desert - Challenges

18.2India - Human Geography

18.2.1Population Distribution in India

18.2.2Urabinsation in India

18.2.3The History of India

18.2.4Economic Resources in India

19Analysis of the Middle East

19.1The Middle East

19.1.1Physical Geography of the Middle East

19.1.2Human Geography of the Middle East

19.1.3Climate Zones in the Middle East

19.1.4Climate Comparison with the UK

19.1.5Oil & Natural Gas in the Middle East

19.1.6Water in the Middle East

19.1.7Population of the Middle East

19.1.8Development Case Studies: The UAE

19.1.9Development Case Studies: Yemen

19.1.10Supporting Development in Yemen

19.1.11Connection to the UK

19.1.12Importance of Oil

19.1.13Oil & Tourism in the UAE

20Analysis of Bangladesh

20.1Bangladesh Physical Geography

20.1.1Location of Bangladesh

20.1.2Climate of Bangladesh

20.1.3Rivers in Bangladesh

20.1.4Flooding in Bangladesh

20.2Bangladesh Human Geography

20.2.1Population Structure in Bangladesh

20.2.2Urbanisation in Bangladesh

20.2.3Bangladesh's Economy

20.2.4Energy & Sustainability in Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

21.1Russia's Physical Geography

21.1.1Russia's Climate

21.1.2Russia's Landscape

21.2Russia's Human Geography

21.2.1Population of Russia

21.2.2Russia's Economy

21.2.3Energy & Sustainability in Russia

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