While the politicians and talking heads argue over climate change, other environmental problems are going on that may be far more devastating. One of the biggest threats to our survival is soil erosion and desertification. Healthy soil is necessary for us to grow food, retain moisture, recharge aquifers, and maintain healthy ecosystems in general.
Desertification: Causes and Solutions
Unfortunately, human activity, especially conventional agriculture, has been a significant factor in soil loss and the spread of deserts. Many places that were once lush and fertile have become barren (think the Middle East or the 1930s Dust Bowl). However, there are things we can do to stop it and regenerate damaged landscapes.
Check out this video with Bill Mollison to learn about the threats to our food system and environment and what can be done to fix them.
A decline in rainfall can affect fertile land, which can increase the scope of dry land. Even though desertification is not unfamiliar to us and has been existing in many parts of the globe, the past decades have witnessed an escalation in desertification.
Desertification basically destroys the top layer of the soil, making it extremely difficult to cultivate crops and vegetation. Because of this, an incredible number of farmers had no choice but to leave the agriculture industry to try other jobs. Deforestation and excessive usage of fertilizers and pesticides are major factors in desertification. Some other reasons include population explosions, climate change, and global warming.
It is a serious problem but can be avoided by simply following sustainable agricultural methods. Unfortunately, they are not brought to the attention of the public unless they get to a crucial point.
Solutions
Proper water and land management planning.
Correct usage of natural resources is a way to minimize stress on productive land.
Protection system of the vegetative cover.
Incorporating areas of grazing and farming.
Deserts are not only expanding fast, but desertification has also affected unaffected and untouched lands. Still, the best way to address the problem is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Learn more with these great articles on our site:
- Homesteading and Farming – The Ultimate Survival Lifestyle
- Homesteading and Sustainability – How To Become Self-Reliant
- 9 Kickass Booby Traps to Rig Your Homestead
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 2, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Good article. I’m a bit worried about the water supply as population increases and hadn’t thought about land and how it is affected.