Losing to the desert: Drought and Desertification
Chapter 17
Key words to understand:Term Meaning
DesertificationDroughtSaharaSahelPopulation growthOvergrazedOver-cultivatedFaminesMigrateIrrigationDrought-resistant
Key words to LEARN:Term Meaning
Desertification The process by which land turns into desertDrought Long rainless periods of timeSahara The largest desert in AfricaSahel An area of land across Africa just south of the Sahara
desertPopulation growth The number of people in an area increasing due to high
birth rates and improved health care.Overgrazed When animals eat grass too quickly for the land to
recover.Over-cultivated The growing and sowing of crops too quickly to allow the
land to recover.Famines When crops fail, people starve and many dieMigrate When people move from one place to anotherIrrigation The artificial watering of landDrought-resistant Crops that can survive long periods of time without
water
