Why Are Some Deserts Expanding?
Global warming has not only resulted in an increase in temperature. It has and will continue to have the monumental affect of expanding the earth's deserts. According to the Discovery Channel, over the next century, as global warming dries up more water sources, deserts may increase in size by 34 percent. Similarly, man-made desertification poses a grave concern to human habitation.
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Forecasted Dried-out Areas
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Scientists working for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict that certain areas will be struck worse than others. Africa's Sahel region, areas enveloping the Mediterranean Sea, the Gobi Desert in China and the southwestern part of the United States will likely be hit the hardest, experiencing the greatest amount of desert expansion due to the increase in temperature and man-made desertification.
Drying Out Forests and Plant Life
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Aside from bodies of water drying out due to the increase in temperature, another chain of events can lead to expansion of deserts. As vegetation and trees dry out and begin to wither away, sunlight hits the surface of the earth directly instead of being blocked by forests and plant life.
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Man-made Desertification
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Mismanagement of dry-land ecosystems causes desertification. Increases in population, poor land use, and overgrazing are significant factors. Areas in the developing worlds are most susceptible. Improvements in agricultural practices and irrigation systems can help curb the expansion of deserts as well as educating citizens on the detrimental effects of deforestation.
Effect of Desert Expansion
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According to studies by the University of Maryland, millions of people and livestock will be affected by global warming and the expansion of deserts. Fewer water supplies will be available for humans and animals to consume and farmers will face increased difficulties in growing crops.
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References
- Photo Credit desert 8 image by Dusan Radivojevic from Fotolia.com
