Analyse the relationship between landscape type and risk of desertification shown in Figure 3 - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 1

The analysis of Figure 3 indicates that the entire region is at risk of some degree of desertification. Each landscape type exhibits varying levels of risk associated with desertification, with substantial evidence to support these observations.

1. Variation in Risk Levels: The data reflects a clear pattern where Type 7, comprising urban expansion and water catchments, shows the most significant risk. Conversely, Type 2 (croplands and grasslands) contains both regions with low to medium risk as well as regions with very high risk, suggesting that land use and management practices directly impact desertification levels.

2. Type 5 Analysis: The landscape type classified as croplands expansion at the expense of grasslands reflects a concerning trend as over 71% of this type is deemed at very high risk. This connection between agricultural practices and desertification risk is critical, highlighting the unsustainable nature of these practices in fragile ecosystems.

3. Centrality and Coverage: Observing the map, there is an anomaly surrounding Type 5 and nearby areas, with an unusually high risk reflected in a larger percentage of land. It appears that the central area of the study has a higher concentration of not just croplands but other environment-degrading activities.

From this analysis, it is clear that landscape type and human interaction with land significantly influence the risk of desertification, emphasising the need for strategic land-use planning and conservation efforts.