Drought and desertification are just two of many key issues facing communities living in Africa. Both drought and desertification bring negative impacts which severely affect both human and natural populations and resources. While drought is a natural phenomenon that cannot be controlled, desertification is often caused by anthropogenic (human) factors and can be prevented.

Question

For this task, you are required to research drought and desertification to determine the differences and relationship between them, why Africa is so susceptible to drought and desertification, the causes of desertification, the negative impacts of drought and desertification, how these impacts can be prevented or managed, and the impact climate change has on both drought and desertification. This task must be completed in the form of an essay.
Your research essay should contain the following information:
Cover page
2 marks
Introduction and Background: Discuss drought and desertification and what is the difference and relationship between them?
10 marks
Why is Africa so susceptible to drought and desertification?
5 marks
A map of areas prone to drought and desertification in Africa. Map must include a scale, legend and north arrow.
10 marks
Discuss the human and natural causes of desertification. You must use case studies and/or articles to support your answer.
15 marks
Discuss the negative impacts of drought and how they can be managed. You must use case studies and/or articles to support your answer.
10 marks
4

Discuss the negative impacts of desertification and how they can be prevented. You must use case studies and/or articles to support your answer.
10 marks
Provide examples from case studies of regions that have successfully combated desertification and how they did this.
10 marks
Discuss how climate change affects drought and desertification. You must use articles to support your answer.
10 marks
Conclusion
5 marks
Bibliography
3 marks
Marks are allocated for evidence of research and data collection
5 marks
Presentation
5 marks
Total Marks
100 marks
Please use the guidelines given above and the rubric when completing this task. This task must be completed in the form of an essay with an introduction, body and conclusion, and a bibliography at the end. You may use sub-headings throughout your essay.
Good Luck!
TOTAL: 100 MARKS
SBA END
5

A small guide to referencing
When you present an idea or piece of information from a source in your essay, at the end of the sentence in which you used information from your source, you must include the name of the author and the date that the piece of information was published in brackets. For example:
Carbon dioxide has increased the temperature of the surface of the Earth by 2 degrees (NASA Earth Observatory, 2011).
In the example above, Nasa Earth Observatory is the author, and the document was published in 2011.
At the end of your essay, you need to provide a list of your sources with all of the appropriate information from your source in a particular order of information. This is called a bibliography. The order of information is as follows:
Surname, Initial. (year of publication). Title of webpage. Available at: URL (Accessed: date).
For example, the bibliography format for the Nasa Earth Observatory (2011) website used above would be:
Nasa Earth Observatory (2011). Effects of changing the carbon cycle.

Answer 1

Introduction

Drought and desertification are critical issues facing many communities in Africa, with both bringing negative impacts that severely affect human and natural populations and resources. While drought is a natural phenomenon that cannot be controlled, desertification is often caused by human factors and can be prevented. In this essay, we will explore the differences and relationship between drought and desertification, why Africa is so susceptible to these issues, the causes of desertification, the negative impacts of drought and desertification, how these impacts can be prevented or managed, and the impact of climate change on both drought and desertification.

Differences and Relationship Between Drought and Desertification

Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. It is a natural occurrence and can occur in any region. On the other hand, desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. While drought can lead to desertification, desertification can also worsen drought conditions by reducing the availability of water sources and fertile land for agriculture.

Why Africa is Susceptible to Drought and Desertification

Africa is particularly susceptible to drought and desertification due to a combination of factors. The continent's climate is characterized by erratic rainfall patterns, making it vulnerable to extended periods of low rainfall. Additionally, Africa's reliance on agriculture as a primary source of livelihood makes it highly susceptible to drought and desertification, as these phenomena directly impact crop production and food security. Deforestation, overgrazing, and poor land management practices also contribute to the prevalence of desertification in Africa.

Human and Natural Causes of Desertification

Desertification in Africa is primarily caused by human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, and poor land management practices. These activities lead to soil erosion, reduced fertility, and ultimately, the transformation of fertile land into desert. Natural causes of desertification include climate change, which can exacerbate drought conditions and increase the severity of desertification processes.

Negative Impacts of Drought and Management Strategies

Drought has severe negative impacts on communities, including water scarcity, crop failure, food insecurity, and economic losses. To manage the impacts of drought, strategies such as water conservation, drought-resistant crop varieties, and early warning systems can be implemented. For example, in the Horn of Africa, the establishment of community-based water management systems has helped to mitigate the impacts of drought on local populations.

Negative Impacts of Desertification and Prevention Strategies

Desertification results in loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, reduced agricultural productivity, and displacement of communities. To prevent desertification, sustainable land management practices such as afforestation, reforestation, and soil conservation can be implemented. For instance, in the Sahel region of Africa, the Great Green Wall initiative aims to combat desertification through the planting of trees along the edge of the Sahara Desert.

Successful Case Studies in Combating Desertification

There are several regions in Africa that have successfully combated desertification through sustainable land management practices. For example, the Tigray region in Ethiopia has implemented community-based watershed management projects that have restored degraded land and improved water availability for agriculture. Similarly, the Yatenga province in Burkina Faso has successfully implemented agroforestry techniques to combat desertification and improve soil fertility.

Impact of Climate Change on Drought and Desertification

Climate change plays a significant role in exacerbating drought and desertification in Africa. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events are all consequences of climate change that contribute to the occurrence and severity of drought and desertification. Mitigation and adaptation strategies, such as promoting renewable energy sources and implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices, are essential to address the impact of climate change on drought and desertification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, drought and desertification are critical issues facing Africa, with significant negative impacts on both human and natural populations. By understanding the causes and consequences of these phenomena, implementing sustainable land management practices, and addressing the impact of climate change, African communities can work towards mitigating the effects of drought and desertification and building resilience to future challenges.

Bibliography

NASA Earth Observatory (2011). Effects of changing the carbon cycle. Available at: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/CarbonCycle (Accessed: October 20, 2021).