Desertification

Shebin SherafPHOENIX

OVERVIEW

o What is ito Regions affected by desertificationo Causeso Impactso Indian scenarioo Summary

What is Desertification

bull Land degradation in arid semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climate variations and human activities

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

Human Actionsbull Overgrazing Inappropriate numbers or types of animals Trampling of soils Reduction of vegetative coverbull Deforestation Fuelwood gathering Slash and burn farmingbull Overcultivation Economic incentives overriding agricultural knowledge Subsistence farming (slash and burn)bull Inappropriate irrigation Dessication of water resources Salinization of farmland

Estimates of percentage of human actions causing desertification are overgrazing (35) Deforestation (30) other agricultural activities (28) overexploitation of fuel wood (7) and bioindustrial activities (1) Human impacts can exacerbate but not initiate desertification

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

OVERVIEW

o What is ito Regions affected by desertificationo Causeso Impactso Indian scenarioo Summary

What is Desertification

bull Land degradation in arid semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climate variations and human activities

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

Human Actionsbull Overgrazing Inappropriate numbers or types of animals Trampling of soils Reduction of vegetative coverbull Deforestation Fuelwood gathering Slash and burn farmingbull Overcultivation Economic incentives overriding agricultural knowledge Subsistence farming (slash and burn)bull Inappropriate irrigation Dessication of water resources Salinization of farmland

Estimates of percentage of human actions causing desertification are overgrazing (35) Deforestation (30) other agricultural activities (28) overexploitation of fuel wood (7) and bioindustrial activities (1) Human impacts can exacerbate but not initiate desertification

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

What is Desertification

bull Land degradation in arid semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climate variations and human activities

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

Human Actionsbull Overgrazing Inappropriate numbers or types of animals Trampling of soils Reduction of vegetative coverbull Deforestation Fuelwood gathering Slash and burn farmingbull Overcultivation Economic incentives overriding agricultural knowledge Subsistence farming (slash and burn)bull Inappropriate irrigation Dessication of water resources Salinization of farmland

Estimates of percentage of human actions causing desertification are overgrazing (35) Deforestation (30) other agricultural activities (28) overexploitation of fuel wood (7) and bioindustrial activities (1) Human impacts can exacerbate but not initiate desertification

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area When a region begins to undergo desertification the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table a reduced supply of surface water increased salinity in natural waters and soils progressive destruction of native vegetation and an accelerated rate of erosion

Human Actionsbull Overgrazing Inappropriate numbers or types of animals Trampling of soils Reduction of vegetative coverbull Deforestation Fuelwood gathering Slash and burn farmingbull Overcultivation Economic incentives overriding agricultural knowledge Subsistence farming (slash and burn)bull Inappropriate irrigation Dessication of water resources Salinization of farmland

Estimates of percentage of human actions causing desertification are overgrazing (35) Deforestation (30) other agricultural activities (28) overexploitation of fuel wood (7) and bioindustrial activities (1) Human impacts can exacerbate but not initiate desertification

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

Human Actionsbull Overgrazing Inappropriate numbers or types of animals Trampling of soils Reduction of vegetative coverbull Deforestation Fuelwood gathering Slash and burn farmingbull Overcultivation Economic incentives overriding agricultural knowledge Subsistence farming (slash and burn)bull Inappropriate irrigation Dessication of water resources Salinization of farmland

Estimates of percentage of human actions causing desertification are overgrazing (35) Deforestation (30) other agricultural activities (28) overexploitation of fuel wood (7) and bioindustrial activities (1) Human impacts can exacerbate but not initiate desertification

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

Estimates of percentage of human actions causing desertification are overgrazing (35) Deforestation (30) other agricultural activities (28) overexploitation of fuel wood (7) and bioindustrial activities (1) Human impacts can exacerbate but not initiate desertification

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

bull Natural global cycles of dry and rainbull Change over significant amounts of timebull Not induced by human actions but can

work in combination with them

Climatic Effects

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

Accelerated soil erosion by wind or water Wind erosion can lead to huge dust storms that can circumnavigate the globe Dust can choke a city bury an oasis hasten desertification in other areas 1048707 Salinization-Increased salinity in soils1048707 Reduction in species diversity Loss of endemic animal and plant species1048707 Reduction in plant biomass

IMPACTS ECOLOGICAL

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

Loss of fertility and productivity in soils

1048707 In China alone about $65 billion annually islost to the effects of desertification1048707 Worldwide $300-600 billion lost annually1048707 Since 1985 Kazakhstan has lost 125 millionacres of grain-growing land1048707 Benefits of prevention and restoration are 25xgreater than allowing desertification tocontinue

IMPACTSECONOMICAL

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

Desert lands are inhospitablesometimes uninhabitable1048707 23 of arable land in Africa atrisk1048707 Loss of arable land meansincreased poverty famine1048707 Food insecurity leads to more environmentalrefugees and displaced persons more forcedmigrations1048707 People are important too

IMPACTS HUMAN

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

As local human populations have increased their escalating food needs have lengthened the cultivation period Grain crops are now planted longer into the dry season preventing trees and grasses from reproducing as they did in the past Much of the land has reverted to desert

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

In India the problem of Desertification is recurrent with visible evidence of its ravages in Jaisalmer Barmer Jodhpur and Bikaner districts According to a recent estimate by Govt of India 32 7 per cent of the countrys land is affected by different degradation processes

Arid areas in our country experience an annual rainfall between 100 and 400 mm with a very high coefficient of variation ranging from 40 to 70 per cent Low and erratic rainfall coupled with extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation (200-600 cal cm2 day 1) results in frequent crop failures and considerably affects the agricultural economy in the region

INDIAN SCENARIO

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

-Integrating land and water management to protect soils from

erosion salinization and other forms of degradation

-Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument

for soil conservation against wind and water erosion

-Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where

conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling

of nutrients within the agricultural systems

-Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally

acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies

HOW TO PREVENT DESERIFICATION

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

-Giving local communities the capacity to

prevent desertification and to manage dryland resources

effectively

-Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on

traditional land uses such as

drylandaquaculture greenhouse agriculture and tourism-

related activities is less demanding on local land and

natural resources and yet provides sustainable income

-Creating economic opportunities in dryland urban centers

and in areas outside of drylands

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15

SUMMARY

Desertification is a growing worldwide problemthat impacts a huge percentage of the worldrsquospopulation1048707 The economic cost of desertification is in themany hundreds of billions of dollars1048707 Desertification can be slowed and evenreversed by re-vegetation water conservationlivestock management and wise agriculturalmethods

• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• What is Desertification
• Slide 4
• Slide 5
• Slide 6
• Slide 7
• Slide 8
• Slide 9
• Slide 10
• Slide 11
• Slide 12
• Slide 13
• Slide 14
• Slide 15