Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert. It is affecting parts of Africa, especially the Sahel region. The main causes are human activities like overfarming, overgrazing, and deforestation combined with low rainfall. This degrades the soil so plants cannot grow, leaving the ground unprotected from further erosion by wind and water. As the land becomes desert, it negatively impacts people, wildlife and the economy through famine and forced migration. Efforts to stop desertification include planting trees, terracing land, and building irrigation systems.

1. Starter-think of 3 questions you would like to ask about this picture! What happened? When will it rain? Why me? Monday May 21 st 2007!

2. Lesson title: What is desertification? Aim: to understand the causes and effects of Desertification To be aware that humans can help stop/slow down the process

3. Process via which land turns into desert. Desertification is when a desert gradually spreads to the surrounding areas of semi-desert = Desertification

4. Where is it happening? Parts of Africa have been the worst affected areas, especially a region called The Sahel.

5. The Sahel stretches for 500km from Senegal and Mauritania on the west coast to Sudan and Ethiopia on the east. The region covers 1/5 th of Africa . The Sahel Sahara Desert Task- Draw a quick sketch of Africa in the space on your sheet- label and colour the Sahel and the Sahara desert to the North. Try to label some countries too! Parts of Africa have been the worst affected areas, especially a region called The Sahel. Ethiopia Niger Sudan

9. 1) below average rainfall leading to extreme drought,. meaning the people have little rain to make the soil full of moisture so little can be grown in it Natural causes 2) Climate is naturally getting warmer which is increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall in the Sahel region

10. Humans are generally considered to be the main cause of Desertification, because of the way they abuse the land- Over farming Overgrazing Deforesting areas Increasing global Warming Human Reasons for Desertification in the Sahel.

15. How does this lead to desert? Vegetation roots bind the soil. Vegetation dies. Soil is left exposed. Sun bakes the soil and it cracks. Wind will blow away the soil. Leaves are no longer present to intercept rain. The soil is washed away. The soil is degraded, over time losing fertility and structure.

18. FAMINE= A extreme lack of food and water for a sustained time period

23. CAPTION NEEDED…