Causes of Desertification & Deforestation

Overgrazing involves keeping too many livestock on a piece of land for too long. The animals eat the vegetation faster than it can regrow, and their hooves compact the soil, reducing its ability to absorb water.

Over-cultivation occurs when farmers plant crops too frequently without allowing the land to lie fallow. This exhausts the soil's natural minerals and nutrients, eventually rendering the land sterile.

Industrial Drivers of Deforestation include large-scale infrastructure projects like hydroelectric dams, mining operations, and the construction of roads. These projects not only clear trees directly but also provide access for further human settlement and exploitation.

While both lead to soil erosion, desertification is often a gradual decline in land quality over a wide area, whereas deforestation is frequently a rapid, localized clearance of vegetation.

Climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' for both; it increases the frequency of droughts (driving desertification) and the severity of wildfires (driving deforestation).

Identify Interconnections: When asked about causes, always explain how one factor leads to another. For example, do not just say 'population growth'; explain that it leads to 'increased demand for food, which causes over-cultivation'.

Distinguish Natural vs. Human: Be prepared to categorize causes. Natural causes often relate to climate (rainfall, fire), while human causes relate to economic activity (farming, industry).

Use Precise Terminology: Use terms like 'soil compaction', 'infiltration', 'surface runoff', and 'nutrient depletion' to demonstrate a high level of geographical understanding.

Check for Feedback Loops: Examiners look for an understanding of how these processes become self-sustaining. Mentioning that 'loss of vegetation leads to higher temperatures, which further dries the soil' shows advanced conceptual grasp.