Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
During the last two decades of the 21st century, Kenya's rate of deforestation has remained consistent. The first decade of the century experienced 2,914.55 hectares in a primary forest lost and 19,401 hectares lost in tree cover while the second decade of the century has experienced a total of 2,099.74 hectares lost in primary forest and 17,167 hectares lost in tree cover.
The Gobi desert continues to expand northward, with over 70% of Mongolia's land degraded through overgrazing, deforestation, and climate change. [64] In addition, the Mongolia government has listed forest fires, blights, unsustainable forestry and mining activities as leading causes of desertification in the country. [65]
Desertification has substantial economic consequences in Africa, particularly in places where agriculture and natural resource utilization are the predominant sources of revenue. Desertification reduces crop yields, causes food shortages, and increases poverty in impacted populations by destroying fertile land and water supplies.
During Kenya's colonial era (1895–1963), elephant and rhino hunting was viewed as an elite sport by British colonizers. [9] Post-independent Kenya saw a decrease in over half of the elephant population during the period of 1970 to 1977, [10] even though the country banned elephant hunting in 1973. In 1977, all animal hunting was banned in Kenya.
Within 43 years, Kenya's forest coverage decreased from about 10% to 1.7%. Deforestation in Madagascar has also led to desertification, soil loss, and water source degradation, resulting in the country's inability to provide necessary resources for its growing population. [8] In the last five years, Nigeria lost nearly half of its primary forests.
The main cause of deforestation in the East African country of Ethiopia is a growing population and subsequent higher demand for agriculture, livestock production, and biofuel. [22] Other reasons include low education and inactivity from the government, [ 23 ] although the current government has taken some steps to tackle deforestation. [ 24 ]
The main sources of Africa's 3.6% share of the world's Carbon dioxide emissions are gas flaring in the Niger Delta and coal-fired power plants in South Africa. [23] But, the continent's forests are rapidly disappearing because of desertification and deforestation, which has negative consequences for both Africa and the climate at large. [24]
Increasing drought and desertification is expected to cause an increased scarcity of freshwater. [ 25 ] [ 26 ] While international standards suggest that 1,000 m 3 of water should be available per person, only 586 m 3 was available in 2010, and this may fall to 293 m 3 by 2050.