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