Impacts of Desertification (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.064

Impacts of desertification

• Desertification has a range of impacts which may be categorised as social, environmental or economic:

  • It affects 168 countries
  • The livelihoods of 2 billion people are affected by desertification
  • Of the people affected 90% live in developing and emerging countries
  • If desertification continues at the current rate an estimated 50 million people could be displaced by 2030

Social impacts of desertification

• Malnutrition as people are not able to get the nutrients they need to be healthy
• Food shortages are followed by famine when food shortages become widespread and sustained
• Migration due to the lack of food
• Conflict between migrants and the local population

Environmental impacts of desertification

• Reduced plant growth as the soil nutrients are depleted
• Loss of biodiversity as the plant and animal species decrease
• Sedimentation in rivers as the soil is washed into the water system
• Increased deforestation as new areas are cleared
• Increased water stress

Economic impacts of desertification

• Decreasing income for farmers as they cannot grow enough crops or raise enough livestock to sell
• Increased rural poverty
• Dependence on aid
• Decreased investment in communities due to lack of money