Human activity & desertification (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B): Revision Note

Specification Link

The notes on this page cover part of 3.4.2 of the WJEC Eduqas GCSE B specification.

3.4.2 -To what extent does human activity contribute to the problem of desertification?

• Human activities to include unsustainable use of water resources, over-grazing, poor land management and use of fire wood.

• The different viewpoints, values and attitudes of stakeholders in the region.

Desertification

• Desertification threatens approximately 20% of the world's population

• It can be argued that many of the natural causes, including soil erosion and rainfall patterns, may be made worse by human activity and climate change 

Human causes of desertification

• One of the main causes of desertification is poor land management

• This may involve:

  • Overgrazing means the vegetation has all gone due to the number of animals, or because the land does not have a chance to recover

  • Over-cultivation leads to all the nutrients being taken up by crops, leaving none for future vegetation to grow

  • Deforestation removes shade for the soil and means there are no roots, which bind the soil together

    • This increases soil erosion, whilst decreasing infiltration and interception

• Population growth puts increased pressure on the land as people raise more animals and grow more crops

• In many areas, people are still dependent on fuelwood as an energy source

  • This leads to further deforestation, which in turn increases desertification

• In areas such as Kenya, both human and natural factors lead to desertification

• Grazing patterns and traditional lifestyles mean that: 

  • Nomadic Masai farmers have been forced to use smaller and smaller areas of land for grazing

    • This results in overgrazing, which removes the vegetation

    • The soil no longer has protection from the wind and rain, which leads to soil erosion and desertification

• Population growth increases the demand for food and fuelwood

  • Kenya's population is predicted to double between 2010 and 2030

  • This leads to over-cultivation and deforestation

  • Deforestation:

    • Reduces the amount of nutrients returned to the soil

    • Exposes the soil to wind and rain

  • This further increases soil erosion, leading to desertification

• In Kenya, increasing temperatures and more irregular rainfall are natural causes of desertification

• However, these could be the result of the enhanced greenhouse effect (human-caused), leading to climate change 

Stakeholder views and attitudes

• Stakeholders in regions affected by desertification hold different, often conflicting viewpoints and attitudes

• These viewpoints are often influenced by their dependence on the resources and their economic, social, and cultural contexts

Local communities

• People in the local community may have views and attitudes which relate to their livelihoods, food security, and energy needs

• They may be locked in a cycle of poverty and unsustainable practices due to a lack of alternatives and population pressure

• Attitudes towards conservation and sustainable practices may be positive if the benefits are clear

Government

• Government views and attitudes are often focused on regional development, economic growth, and national food/energy security

• This may sometimes prioritise short-term gains over long-term sustainability

• They also aim to address the national and international issue of land degradation and desertification.

Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)

• NGOs mainly focus on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and promoting sustainable practices at the local level with communities.

• They tend to promote strategies like water and soil management, tree planting, and the use of appropriate, drought-tolerant crops

• NGOs often work to raise awareness and educate the public on environmental issues

Agribusiness

• The main concerns of commercial agriculture are profit and market demands

• This can lead to unsustainable practices, including:

  • Intensive land use

  • Expansion of agriculture

  • Overexploitation of water resources