The influence of people on deserts
The influence of people on deserts
deserts make up around a third of the entire land area of the earth and play an important role in the global climate and biological diversity. However, despite their apparent untouchness and inaccessibility, human activities have a significant impact on these special ecosystems. This article will examine how man influences the deserts and the associated ecological consequences.
human colonization and land use
Early human activities
People have populated and used deserts thousands of years ago. Early residents, such as the indigenous people of North America or the Sahara, lived nomadically and adapted to the extreme conditions. Their lifestyle was based on hunting, collecting and later on small -scale agriculture. These early human activities only had a minimal influence on the desert environment.
Modern land use
Over time, the intensity of human use has increased. Agriculture, cattle breeding, mining and urbanization have become the dominant forms of land use in deserts. The influence ranges from the degradation of the soil to deterioration in water and air quality.
In particular, the extensive use of groundwater for irrigation agriculture has dramatic effects. In many desert areas, the excessive groundwater extraction leads to a lowering of the groundwater level and in some cases to completely dry out water sources.
climate change and global warming
The climate change caused by humans has a serious effect on deserts worldwide. A 2016 study in the "Journal of Climate" reported that around 35% of the global desert area has grown due to climate change since the 1980s.
increased temperatures
Hertworthy leads to higher temperatures in desert regions. These elevated temperatures can lead to higher evaporation rates, which further restricts the already low availability of water and leads to the deserts even drier and hotter. This makes living conditions for people and animals even more difficult in these areas.
Change of precipitation
Changes in precipitation due to global warming can also have far -reaching effects on deserts. On the one hand, fewer rains can lead to even drier conditions. On the other hand, increased rains and floods can erode the soil and damage the vegetation.
Deforestation and drainage
Deserts are often surrounded by densely populated areas that have already been changed through human activities. This has an impact on the desert climate and the underlying ecosystem. A main problem in this context is the design and drainage of adjacent areas.
Design
The removal of trees and vegetation near desert areas can lead to an increased sand flight and sandstorm activity. This leads to a further spread and expansion of the deserts, a process known as desertification.
drainage
Similarly, drainage of swamps and wetlands near deserts can be another catalyst for the desert spread. These areas offer an important barrier against the advance of deserts. Their drainage enables faster desertification and influences the flora and fauna of the desert.
crucial measures and solutions
In view of these threats and challenges, extensive protective measures and solutions are necessary.
Sustainable land use
One possibility is to promote sustainable land use methods. This could include, for example, improved irrigation practice, the use of resistant plants for the cultivation and the destruction of invasive species.
reforestation
The reforestation and the restoration of lost vegetation are effective methods to combat desertification. Trees and plants are planted to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. This also contributes to improving the local climate and maintaining biological diversity.
Fazit
The human effects on deserts are far -reaching and complex. Through land use, global climate change and other activities, our influence on these unique landscapes has profound ecological effects. It is crucial that we further deepen our understanding of desert ecology and accept more sustainable practices to protect these unique and invaluable ecosystems.