ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA SSWG 5 ANALYZE HUMAN

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA SSWG 5 ANALYZE HUMAN INTERACTIONS WITH THE WORLD’S ENVIRONMENTS.

DESERTIFICATION OF THE SAHEL • Sahel – narrow band of dry grassland running along the southern border of the Sahara • Desertification – expansion of dry conditions into moist areas next to deserts • Human causes • • Overgrazing of vegetation by livestock exposes soil Animals trample soil – exposed to erosion Farming exposes soil – erosion Drilling & irrigation

OIL IN NIGERIA • Drilling for oil = harmful to environment • 4, 000 of spills in 40 years • Fires = acid rain = soot = respiratory diseases

CONTROLLING THE NILE • Efforts to control flooding of Nile • Cycles of floods & droughts • Aswan High Dam – gives farmers supply of water • Holds water & releases as needed for irrigation • Issues = decreased soil fertility of Nile = fewer deposits of silt

WATER INSECURITY • Prevents development in Sub-Saharan Africa • Women walk miles/day for water • Increasing population, not enough water • Desertification decreases amount of water

PLANTATION FARMING & DEFORESTATION • Plantation farming – clear native vegetation & plant commercial plants (coffee & cocoa) • More demand for these products = more deforestation • Demand for timber in international trade = deforestation in Central Africa