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 countries
- If desertification continues at the current rate an estimated 50 million people could be displaced by 2030
Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Desertification
| Social | Environmental | Economic |
|
Malnutrition as people are not able to get the nutrients they need to be healthy |
Reduced plant growth as the soil nutrients are depleted |
Decreasing income for farmers as they cannot grow enough crops or raise enough livestock to sell |
|
Food shortages are followed by famine when food shortages become widespread and sustained |
Loss of biodiversity as the plant and animal species decrease |
Increased rural poverty |
|
Migration due to the lack of food |
Sedimentation in rivers as the soil is washed into the water system |
Dependence on aid |
|
Conflict between migrants and the local population |
Increased deforestation as new areas are cleared |
Decreased investment in communities due to lack of money |
