Impacts of Desertification (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

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 and emerging countries

  • If desertification continues at the current rate an estimated 50 million people could be displaced by 2030

Social impacts of desertification

• Malnutrition as people are not able to get the nutrients they need to be healthy

• Food shortages are followed by famine when food shortages become widespread and sustained

• Migration due to the lack of food

• Conflict between migrants and the local population

Environmental impacts of desertification

• Reduced plant growth as the soil nutrients are depleted

• Loss of biodiversity as the plant and animal species decrease

• Sedimentation in rivers as the soil is washed into the water system

• Increased deforestation as new areas are cleared

• Increased water stress

Economic impacts of desertification

• Decreasing income for farmers as they cannot grow enough crops or raise enough livestock to sell

• Increased rural poverty

• Dependence on aid 

• Decreased investment in communities due to lack of money