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The causes of desertification are a combination of natural and human factors, with climate change exacerbating the problem. Despite this, there is a common misconception that desertification in Africa is solely the result of natural causes like climate change and soil erosion.
Animals graze excessively on this terrain, which degrades the soil, causes vegetation to disappear, and creates other environmental problems. [26] Overgrazing has grown to be a significant issue in Ghana, especially in the northern areas where pastoralist people have historically relied on grazing as a source of income. [ 27 ]
For example, in South Africa the mercury levels are severe due to coal combustion and gold mining. Mercury is absorbed from the air into the soil and water. [19] The soil allows the crops to absorb the mercury, which humans ingest. Animals eat the grass which has absorbed the mercury and again humans may ingest these animals.
Geographic areas most affected are located in Africa (Sahel region), Asia (Gobi Desert and Mongolia) and parts of South America. Drylands occupy approximately 40–41% of Earth's land area and are home to more than 2 billion people. [7] Effects of desertification include sand and dust storms, food insecurity, and poverty.
A satellite image of the Sahara, the world's largest hot desert and third largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic. Desert greening is the process of afforestation or revegetation of deserts for ecological restoration (biodiversity), sustainable farming and forestry, but also for reclamation of natural water systems and other ecological systems that support life.
It can also be caused by immobile, travel restricted populations of native or non-native wild animals. Overgrazing reduces the usefulness, productivity and biodiversity of the land and is one cause of desertification and erosion. Overgrazing is also seen as a cause of the spread of invasive species of non-native plants and of weeds.
The Nama Karoo in South Africa is a xeric shrubland that receives between 100 and 500 millimetres (4 and 20 in) of rain a year. [3]The conversion of productive drylands to desert conditions, known as desertification, can occur from a variety of causes.
Deforestation leads to habitat loss for numerous animals, endangering various species. Plants and animals are severely depleted, some facing extinction. The loss of habitats threatens numerous species, impacting the ecosystem. Deforestation contributes to desertification in the southern parts of Nigeria.