How Does Drought And Desertification Affect The Economy Of South Africa

August 30, 2021 Post a Comment

The significance of these problems in the region is demonstrated by outlining the impact that drought and desertification have on economic growth and poverty. South Africa is infamous for its high unemployment which had risen to 267 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Pdf Desertification Drought And Surface Vegetation An Example From The West African Sahel

The reduction in plant cover that accompanies desertification leads to accelerated soil erosion by wind and water.

How does drought and desertification affect the economy of south africa. In some regions such as the Western Cape the countrys second largest province in terms of economic contribution the drought. Economic impacts can be both direct such as decreases in dairy production and indirect as seen by increases in the price of cheese. I am looking to make a difference in South Africa and I hope that you will be able to assist me in the execution of my dream and vision of a better future for all in this.

In the past two decades since 1990 12 of those years were defined as drier years compared to only seven years in the previous 20 years. Van Cotthem I have been reading up on your blogs on sand dams. Agenda 2063 sets Africas long-term development vision recognizing.

The current drought is recorded as one of the worst to ever hit South Africa and its effects on the countrys economy have been severe pushing food prices up due to crippled key crops like maize the countrys staple food. Understanding drought risk in South Africa. Accelerating desertification is largely responsible for the fact that many countries in Africa south of the Sahara are losing the capacity to feed themselves.

For example the prices of meat and poultry which are popular protein sources are quite high making it difficult for low-income households to purchase them. Plants and animals depend on water just as people do. However little research has been published in peer-reviewed literature on the economics of desertification or.

Desertification is the process whereby land in semi-arid regions become desert the grasslands becomes semi-desert and so on. Compounded by the rapid population growth at the rate of three per cent this is shown by the fact that between 1970 and 1980 per capita food production in Sub-Saharan Africa dropped by 11 per cent. The South African weather service defines a drought as a period of 12 moths when total rain received is below 75 of the average.

A drought means a long period of dry weather during which the lack of rain results in a severe shortage of water. Section two of the report provides an overview of the status and trends on drought and desertification in Africa. Droughts have become more commonplace in South Africa in recent years.

The government has resorted to importing food and poultry to augment local food production. That is insufficient to make an imprint on the nations most considerable difficulties which incorporate high rates of inequality poverty including unemployment. The environment is directly impacted by drought.

In addition to the economy drought also affects the environment and society. Climate scientists say the cause of the drought that has not only crippled South Africa but countries across Southern Africa is one of. The impact of the drought in South Africa has been most strongly felt in increased food prices.

11 The El Niño and its impact on rainfall in southern Africa Between late 2014 and June 2016 South Africa experienced an El Niño-related drought which various reports claim to be the worst meteorological drought in the southern Africa region in 35 years BBC 2015. Drought has wide-ranging impacts on health water supply and economic sectors especially agriculture. Youth unemployment in Cape Town itself is higher measured at 317 percent.

The economic impact of Drought in South Africa is dire. This region is under constant stress due to frequent droughts and soil erosion. From 2015 to 2017 South Africas financial grew by minor 11 average per annum with the farming part growing at a rate of under 05.

The latest period included three consecutive years of drier conditions between 2014 to 2016. Through inconsiderate farming methods like heavy tilling planting of unsuitable crops and leaving soils exposed to wind and rain erosion farmers only speed up the process of desertification in exchange for poor quality crops with low economic value. Understanding and evaluating the economic and social costs and benefits associated with Desertification Land Degradation and Drought DLDD is essential to developing cost-effective policies and strategies for addressing DLDD.

Desertification reduces the ability of land to support life affecting wild species domestic animals agricultural crops and people. Very very interesting and very much in need in Southern Africa as well. Various instruments related to addressing drought land degradation and desertification.

Africans frequently migrate south in search of fertile land. South Africa losing approximately 300-400 million tonnes of topsoil every year. Desertification affects about 46 percent of Africa.

Drought can result in lower water levels in reservoirs lakes and ponds as well as reduced streamflow in rivers. UNU-EHS Yvonne Walz. A dense forest can become a field of dust in a matter of years making mass migrations inevitable.

Drought can affect water sources land fish and wildlife and plant communities. Posted by Hippo on 22 July 2016. This decrease in available water can also lead to a reduction of some wetlands groundwater depletion and even impact water quality eg.

Interesting message from South Africa. Drought can shrink their food supplies and damage their habitats. Regional economic communities further cascade these steps at the subregional and national levels.

Hence understanding and reducing the risks and adverse effects of drought such as yield losses is crucial as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction SFDRR states. Besides while preparing the soil for sowing natural vegetation that holds the brittle soil in place is removed letting the last bits of the productive. Desertification in Senegal and Beyond.

Drought Desertification United Nations Economic Commission For

Losing Land To Desertification

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Land Resource Stresses And Desertification In Africa Nrcs Soils

The Map Above Shows Areas Within Africa And Their Risk Of Desertification Desertification Is Most Often Caused By Uns Access To Clean Water Africa World Days