Desertification

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poor irrigation, deforestation, and over-cultivation) all of
which are preventable.

Livestock, in many continents, overgrazes and flattens vegetation. Arid
areas, such as the Sahel ("Desertification was brought to the world's
attention by the Sahel disaster..."), the dry plains of India, and semi
deserts of Turkey can usually support a small number of people and their
livestock without permanent damage. The land often recovers when the
animals move on but when there are too many sheep, goats, and cattle
everything is eaten (including twigs and bark). When rain finally does fall
it is too late; trees, shrubs, and grass are all dead. Parts of North and
Central America, and most of Australia is at the risk of desertification
due to inadequate stock raising techniques (see map). This factor, which is
a main cause of desertification, is preventable. Disease-resistant
varieties of animals (can survive drought and eat little) should be kept by
farmers in marginal lands. "They ...

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