environmental issues
Value & Importance: Deserts contain valuable resources such as: iron ore, borax, gold, and petroleum. Nearly two thirds of crude oil is drilled from the deserts.These minerals make deserts economically valuable. In terms of the environment, Deserts are home to various species of animals and plants. These animals and plants are adapted to the specific biome of the desert.
Human Impacts: Introduction of invasive species, poorly drained irrigation systems, and mismanagement of available water , and over cultivation are all human activities that have negatively impacted the desert biome. Desertification is another major issues affecting the desert biome. Desertification is caused by over-farming, overgrazing and misuse of resources. In this process grasslands becomes deserts. Overgrazing not only increases soil erosion but also enhances invasive species to grow. Urbanization is another contributing factor. Recreational activities like off-roading vehicles can cause mass destruction to this fragile environment. Deserts are increasingly being intervened upon in such ways.
Solutions: Unfortunately, because deserts slow plant growth and nutrient cycling it can take hundreds of years for a desert to recover from disturbances. However, there are ways to prevent these harmful activities and reduce their negative effects on the desert biome. By reducing irrigation or using more effective measures to irrigate our crops we will decrease desertification. Land degradation can be reduced by rotational grazing, which inhibits over-grazing in riparian areas. The California Desert Protection act helps by naming and therefore protecting deserts in California to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Human Impacts: Introduction of invasive species, poorly drained irrigation systems, and mismanagement of available water , and over cultivation are all human activities that have negatively impacted the desert biome. Desertification is another major issues affecting the desert biome. Desertification is caused by over-farming, overgrazing and misuse of resources. In this process grasslands becomes deserts. Overgrazing not only increases soil erosion but also enhances invasive species to grow. Urbanization is another contributing factor. Recreational activities like off-roading vehicles can cause mass destruction to this fragile environment. Deserts are increasingly being intervened upon in such ways.
Solutions: Unfortunately, because deserts slow plant growth and nutrient cycling it can take hundreds of years for a desert to recover from disturbances. However, there are ways to prevent these harmful activities and reduce their negative effects on the desert biome. By reducing irrigation or using more effective measures to irrigate our crops we will decrease desertification. Land degradation can be reduced by rotational grazing, which inhibits over-grazing in riparian areas. The California Desert Protection act helps by naming and therefore protecting deserts in California to the National Wilderness Preservation System.