The Sahel, a dryland area

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  • The Sahel, a dryland area
    • Physical Threats
      • Infertile Soils
        • Minimal micro-organic activity, weak soils with minimal water retention
        • Management includes planting pits for water storage during rainy seasons.
          • Planting of nitrogen fixating trees; also the Green Wall
      • Rainfall pattern changes
        • sporadic temperature changes lead to soil degradation
      • Wind Exposure
        • Soil erosion increases, evapotranspiration too
          • Management involves using grass species as a barrier to wind and water erosion
      • Increased Periodic Drought
        • reduces soil ability to support agriculture
          • only xerophytes survive
        • irrigation use and management required
          • contour stone barriers also reduce runoff
      • Albedo Changes
        • Light surface reflects solar energy, warms atmosphere, water in soil evaporates leaving crystal salt, further reflection of heat.
        • re-greening projects ik the Green Wall
          • 2004=2007 Acacia Project in 6 countries -> taught farmers Acacia planting which restores nitrogen to soils
            • Also builds communities and contributed to low farmer incomes
    • Extends from West to East Africa across 10 nations
      • Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal
    • Human Threats
      • Population Growth
        • 350mil-700 in Sahel by 2060 -> food prod could drop by 50%
        • Accelerate demographic transition (contraception, smaller families)
      • Increasing Deforestation
        • Management includes agro forestry and afforestation projects
      • Overgrazing and Overcultivation
        • Education for farmers, irrigation, HYVs, crop diversification, planting pits etc.
      • Land Grabbing
        • For instance Sudan giving away huge amounts to UAE, Saudi Arabia etc.
        • Legal battles for land rights and ownership

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