Despite the fact that the continent of North America is a relatively flat area, there are still regions that are prone to deserts. These regions are known as the Interior, Coastal, Subtropical, and Polar regions. These regions are all very different from each other, and it is important to understand them in order to properly combat the spread of deserts.
Subtropical
Having a dry climate has been an enduring problem for humanity, but can we stop them from spreading? Scientists from UMD and MIT studied the movement of the planet’s arid zones and found that there is a direct link between the expansion of arid zones and the climate change we’re experiencing. It’s also worth noting that the results of the study may have important implications for other deserts as well.
For example, researchers found that dry air is moving poleward from the south, and could soon make its way to the Alps and the Mediterranean. This could lead to less snowfall in the Alps, and could even cut winter rain in the Mediterranean.
Another interesting discovery is that the Sahara’s expansion has actually increased its average seasonal area. The Sahara is one of the driest places on the planet. The expansion is believed to be caused by the Hadley circulation, a circulation pattern that sends dry air northward from the south and produces downpours. The largest expansion of the Sahara occurred in summer, with the largest expansion being 16 percent.
The study was also able to show that the odometer may be the most important metric to measure the arid zone’s effect on climate. Researchers used satellite measurements to look at the lower atmosphere, and found that the smallest temperature change was in the tiniest molecule. These findings suggest that global warming may be behind the changes.
Coastal
Various nations are working on ways to slow the spread of deserts. These include efforts to conserve water, enhance biodiversity, and improve crop yields. The Great Green Wall, a project begun in 2007 in the deserts of Senegal and Djibouti, was intended to form a natural barrier to the Sahara. But it failed to live up to its promise.
One of the more effective attempts to stop the spread of deserts is to create windbreaks using trees. These trees not only break the wind force, but also anchor the soil. This is a particularly important consideration in regions where soil compaction prevents water from soaking into the ground.
Another is the invention of the solar panel, which spares villagers from having to pay more for water in the desert. It can pump water from a communal well and spares the farmers from having to buy expensive pumps for their farm.
The world’s largest sand desert is the Sahara Desert. It has been expanding at an accelerated rate since the 1950s, and it’s been estimated that over 300 million metric tons of topsoil are being lost each year. However, in order to fully reclaim sand dunes for agricultural purposes, it will likely require a significant amount of research and development.
In the deserts of Western China, Central Asia and even the Middle East, the number of people living in areas without adequate rainfall is on the rise. The global weather cycle is responsible for some of these changes. In some regions, the drought-prone sands of the Sahara are threatening to overwhelm the indigenous grassland habitats.
Rain shadow
Whenever air moves over a mountain range, a rain shadow can form. This phenomenon explains why some areas are wet while others are dry. Depending on the region, rain shadows can be extremely strong or weak.
Rain shadows are formed because mountain ranges act as barriers to airflow. The slopes of these mountains push clouds up into colder air, resulting in less rainfall on the other side. Some famous deserts are located on the leeward side of mountains.
Mountain ranges also block sub-tropical trade winds, which originate in the southern hemisphere. These winds originate from the Pacific Ocean and cool down over the mountains. This causes moisture to be lost in the form of precipitation, condensation, and heat loss.
Rain shadows can also be formed along coastlines where cold oceanic upwellings cause moisture loss. Deserts can also form in inland regions far from coasts. The Andes Mountains in South America form a rain shadow, resulting in a drier climate. Similarly, mountains in the Himalayas in Asia cause a drier climate. The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is another example of rain shadows.
Rain shadows can also occur on the side of mountains near the Appalachian Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, and other prominent ranges. Some mountains can have rain shadows that extend for hundreds of miles. The effect can be even more pronounced if the mountain range is tall.
Interior
Unlikely to behold, the sun and moon may have ejected their ilks to the dust bins o’ the mist. One thing to watch out for is the aforementioned sands. To be sure, if you have the foresight to not have been sand blasted off your digits, you are out of luck. The following are a few notable exceptions. Those aforementioned sand savors may be the deeds to come, a boozed up doodoo in your near future. A good way to keep your sanity intact is to not engage in such activities. The best way to do this is to make the effort a top priority.
Polar
During the last two decades, we’ve witnessed a massive rate of desertification across the globe. While this phenomenon is not new, it’s become a global threat. It’s estimated that there are currently over six million square kilometers of the world’s surface that are unsuitable for farming. It is also estimated that, globally, there are over a billion people living in areas of low or no rainfall.
The question is, how can we prevent desertification from spreading like the plague? Fortunately, there are a number of measures we can take to improve the situation. The first is to prevent desertification from occurring in the first place. This requires a concerted effort on the part of national governments, businesses and individuals. In a bid to curb the spread of the desert, countries across the globe have launched initiatives to prevent this phenomenon from reoccurring.
The Sahara, in particular, is a major source of concern. During the last two decades, the desert has pushed southward by more than a hundred kilometers. While the Sahara isn’t yet affecting the rest of Africa, it’s definitely a threat to the continent’s livelihoods.
The Gobi Desert, on the other hand, has already swallowed up whole villages. It is also the driest place on Earth. In addition to destroying habitat, it also forces thousands of people to relocate. In fact, it is the fastest growing desert on Earth.
Reforestation
Almost a third of the Earth’s surface is now desert. The Gobi Desert, located in northwest China, is the fastest growing desert on the planet. It consumes grasslands and forces thousands of people to move out of their villages. Its size is already 1.2 million square kilometers.
The Sahel, in the western part of Africa, is turning into a desert. The region is arid and drought is accelerating the desertification process. A group of 21 African nations has launched a plan to combat desertification and improve lives in the Sahel.
The Great Green Wall is an ambitious project to restore land. It would stretch across Africa, from Senegal to Djibouti, and would create an 8,000-kilometer mosaic of vegetation. The plan also aims to create 10 million jobs in rural areas.
The project has received a boost from the World Bank. It is estimated that planting 2 billion acres of trees would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by two-thirds. This will increase rainfall and recharge aquifers. In addition, vegetation can absorb water and retain it in the soil. Planting trees is one of the many steps to combat desertification.
The Sahel region is the most vulnerable to desertification. It has a very rocky surface, and it is prone to frequent and severe droughts. It has been turned into a desert by heavy grazing by livestock. Planting trees will improve the water table. Planting trees also can help reduce runoff.
