Africa’s Environment

SS7G2The student will discuss environmental

issues across the continent of Africa.

The Sahel• The Sahel is an area of Africa south of the Sahara

Desert. • It is an example of how poor farming practices and

the destruction of trees and shrubs can lead to an expanding desert.

• Centuries of farming and grazing along with less rainfall have gradually damaged land in the Sahel.

• Millions of people struggle to farm in its poor soil

Deforestation

• Deforestation is the destruction of trees and other vegetation.

• Animals have been allowed to graze too heavily in an area and strip all vegetation from the soil.

• People who need fuel or who hope to be able to clear new farmland cut down the trees that help hold the soil in place.

Droughts

• Droughts are periods of little rainfall that have hurt the Sahel.

• People who live in these areas often face starvation and poverty.

What is the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa?

What is the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Deforestation leads to flooding and run-off

Desertification

• The Sahel is one part of Africa that is experiencing severe problems with desertification, the process of the desert expanding into areas that had formerly been farmland.

• The winds coming from the Sahara gradually blow the dry topsoil away leaving a barren and rocky land.

• As land is overused, the soil becomes poor and powdery.

Desertification cont’d• As the desert expands, people are less able to grow

enough food to feed them.• People living in areas going through desertification

face hunger and hardship.• In the Sahel, however, a majority of the

desertification is the result of the actions of people rather than climate.

• Land is being cleared for farming and trees and shrubs are being cut down for firewood.

What is the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa from the Sahel to the

rainforest?

What is the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa from the Sahel to the

rainforest?

In sub-Saharan Africa, less than 50% of the population has access to safe drinking water from environmental pollution.

How has the shortage of safe drinking water affected sub-Saharan African development?

How has the shortage of safe drinking water affected sub-Saharan African development?

Development is low…people are moving away, so economic growth is decreasing.

Poor soil and deforestation cause more land to become...

Poor soil and deforestation cause more land to become...

Useless for farming and agriculture

In the Sahel, overgrazing and drought have resulted in a decrease in the grassland region. What is this process called?

What is this process called?

Desertification

Why is the population low in the Sahara?

Why is the population low in the Sahara?

Limited access to water

The lack of clean, abundant water in many countries south of the Sahara has what economic effect?

The lack of clean, abundant water in many countries south of the Sahara has what economic effect?

Trade and industry are not developing

In the Sahel region of Africa, desertification is causing the desert to spread. As plants die, the soil blows away leaving the ground unfit

for agriculture. What is a major result of desertification?

What is a major result of desertification?

Food/crops cannot grow, so there is a lack of food production.

In the Sahel, reduced tropical rainforests and overgrazing of vegetation are the causes of…

In the Sahel, reduced tropical rainforests and overgrazing of vegetation are the causes of…

Desertification