Impact of Drought and Desertification (Leaving Cert Geography): Flashcards
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14 cards from this deck
Impact of drought & desertification
Impact of drought & desertification
Major challenges for regions worldwide
Define drought
Define drought
Extended period of unusually low rainfall causing water shortage
What makes drought complex?
What makes drought complex?
Relationship between water supply & demand over time
Number of drought categories
Number of drought categories
Three main categories
Define meteorological drought
Define meteorological drought
Much less precipitation than normal over extended period
Define agricultural drought
Define agricultural drought
Soil moisture too low to support normal crop growth/grazing
Define hydrological drought
Define hydrological drought
Water in aquifers/lakes/reservoirs drops below typical levels
Hydrological drought key feature
Hydrological drought key feature
Can persist long after rains return
Define desertification
Define desertification
Productive land gradually transforms into desert-like conditions
Primary cause of desertification
Primary cause of desertification
Human activities combined with climate pressures
4 main drivers of desertification
4 main drivers of desertification
Overgrazing, over-cultivation, deforestation, poor irrigation
What is overgrazing?
What is overgrazing?
Too many animals eating vegetation faster than it can regrow
Desertification vs drought permanence
Desertification vs drought permanence
Desertification is permanent/long-lasting, drought is temporary
Economic impacts of drought/desertification
Economic impacts of drought/desertification
Reduced production, affects food security & rural livelihoods