{"id":24839,"date":"2024-02-01T17:14:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T17:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=24839"},"modified":"2024-02-01T17:14:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T17:14:46","slug":"the-process-of-desertification-leads-to-soil-desiccation-and-soil-loss-explain-upsc-geography-optional-mains-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-process-of-desertification-leads-to-soil-desiccation-and-soil-loss-explain-upsc-geography-optional-mains-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"The process of desertification leads to soil desiccation and soil loss. Explain &#8211; UPSC Geography Optional Mains &#8211; 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-prelims-support-program-with-test-series?type=classroom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/GS-Foundation-Course-for-UPSC-1280-x-300-px-1-1024x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46623\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Desertification, a complex ecological phenomenon, unfolds as a gradual and often irreversible process, wherein fertile land succumbs to arid conditions, resulting in soil desiccation and loss. This intricate process is driven by a combination of natural factors such as climate variability, prolonged droughts, and human-induced activities like deforestation and improper land management. As the land undergoes desertification, it experiences a decline in its ability to support vegetation, rendering it increasingly vulnerable to erosion and degradation. Soil desiccation, marked by the drying out of the once-moist soil, exacerbates the challenges faced by ecosystems and communities dependent on these lands for sustenance. The consequential soil loss further perpetuates a cycle of environmental degradation, impacting biodiversity, water resources, and human livelihoods. Understanding the intricacies of the desertification process is crucial for devising sustainable solutions to mitigate its effects and protect vulnerable ecosystems from irreversible harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e2064dc2598\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e2064dc2598\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-process-of-desertification-leads-to-soil-desiccation-and-soil-loss-explain-upsc-geography-optional-mains-2022\/#Answer\" title=\"Answer\">Answer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-process-of-desertification-leads-to-soil-desiccation-and-soil-loss-explain-upsc-geography-optional-mains-2022\/#In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\" title=\"In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;\">In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-process-of-desertification-leads-to-soil-desiccation-and-soil-loss-explain-upsc-geography-optional-mains-2022\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here\">Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Answer\"><\/span>Answer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The UNCCD defines desertification as a process by which fertile or semi-arid land gradually transforms into arid desert condition, it is estimated to be causing the loss of 12 million hectares of productive land each year<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As desertification progresses, it can lead to soil desiccation (drying out) and soil loss, creating a cycle of land degradation as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The process begins with reduced vegetation cover<ul><li>Because of natural factors- droughts or human activities-deforestation.<\/li><li>As vegetation decreases, the soil becomes more exposed to the sun and wind.<\/li><li>E.g., In the Sahel region of Africa, extended periods of drought have led to the gradual loss of vegetation cover. The removal of trees for firewood and grazing further exacerbates the problem.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>With reduced vegetation, the soil is no longer shaded, and evaporation rates increase.<ul><li>The soil loses moisture faster than it can be replenished, resulting in soil desiccation<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"215\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-01-224138.png\" alt=\"Desertification in Rajasthan\" class=\"wp-image-24840 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-01-224138.png 910w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-01-224138-585x138.png 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 910px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 910\/215;\" \/><figcaption>Desertification in Rajasthan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>As soil dries out, develop a surface crust, making it less permeable to water. This results in increased runoff during rainfall, carrying away topsoil and causing erosion. Eg. In the southwestern United States, areas that were once fertile grasslands have experienced desertification due to prolonged droughts. The eroded soil leads to gullies and further loss of fertile topsoil.<\/li><li>The loss of soil moisture, topsoil, and erosion degrade the soil&#8217;s quality and fertility. It becomes less capable of supporting vegetation, agriculture, or other land uses. Eg. In parts of China&#8217;s Loess Plateau, where overgrazing and deforestation have contributed to desertification, the soil has been severely degraded, making it difficult to grow crops and support local communities.<\/li><li>Desertification often creates a feedback loop, where the degraded land becomes less capable of retaining moisture and supporting vegetation. This, in turn, exacerbates the desertification process. Eg. In the Sahel region of Africa, the loss of vegetation cover and soil desiccation have created a self-reinforcing cycle of desertification, leading to the further encroachment of the Sahara Desert.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The African Union&#8217;s Great Green Wall, The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), The National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (NAPCD), The Desert Development Programme are steps in right direction to combat soil desertification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=Essay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/UPSC-Essay-Course-1280\u00d7300-1-3.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42688 lazyload\" width=\"781\" height=\"182\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 781px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 781\/182;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\"><\/span><strong>In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For UPSC Prelims Resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Daily Updates and Study Material:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join our Telegram Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>1. 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