The desertification process is rapidly taking place on earth, although the fact remains that the total quantity of water on earth is constant. However, there is no proper distribution or partitioning of water due to which plant and animal life suffers from either excess or deficiency of water.
2006-07-21 19:56:41 · 3 answers · asked by kunuthursrinivasa 1 in Environment
Desertification is primarily the result of defoliating of the environment due mostly to over grazing but also very important is deforestation. Removal of plant cover reduces humidity and therefore reduces rainfall. The process may be reversed by replanting native species. It may be a very long processes that must proceed from the edges and work in towards desert areas. Also strict controls over exploitation of foliage for grazing and tree cutting must be imposed. There are several societies that have been successful in reforesting areas or in maintaining forest cover through enlightened public policies. Examples are feudal Japan and the Dominican Republic, which although it shares the same island as Haiti has a much better environment because they maintained their forest cover.
Global warming now that it is starting to kick in will undoubtedly play an important and exacerbating role in desertification. It may significantly confound efforts to mitigate.
If you are interested Jared Diamond has written and excellent book that discusses these issues: "Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed". It is a fascinating read.
2006-07-22 07:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by Engineer 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It is in the hands of nature. But we can predict the distribution of rainfall from the previous 10 year weather data of certain location with 50% probability. We have to adjust our rain-dependant activities according to our prediction. Lot of rainwater conservation activities should be started on safer side. We should have strategies to get rid of the problems due to excess raining. At any cost, single drop of rain water should not be wasted or allowed to drain in the sea.
2006-07-21 22:06:40 · answer #2 · answered by K.J. Jeyabaskaran K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rain is a force of nature that has yet to be controlled. Rainwater that is collected and held in lakes and resovoirs can be regulated and distributed. Local and state governments decide who gets how much. As potable water becomes scarcer there is going to be even more conflict I think the solution is to reduce the population and or go off planet.
2006-07-21 19:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋