Desert development: How does it relate to anti desertification measures?

Abstract

Synopsis: An examination of the relationship between desert control and desertification with an explanation of the confusion that has arisen from the similarity of the words. Key Points Partly the desire to tame the desert is fuelled by the notion that 'man is dominant over nature' but interest in the subject is driven by the growing pressure of human population, the diminishing resource base and the widespread poverty that is a feature of many desert regions. Even in desert areas where there is no permanent habitation, protection of the infrastructure, pipelines, electricity transmission lines, railways, and highways dictate that measures need be taken to tame the desert. It is now widely accepted that desertification is not the relentless advance of desert but rather the development of land degradation in discrete sites, that can coalesce and spread but the threat of desert encroachment is real on the desert margins. The driving forces for the different environmental problems in Asia (as well as in the rest of the world) are fundamentally related to human population growth which increases the use of natural resources and production of wastes. Rapid population growth has contributed to the destruction of natural habits, wide-spread land conversion, and increased intensities of land use, further resulting in a series of problems of ecosystem degradation including desertification, salinization and alkalization, water-logging, and air and water pollution. The confusion between controlling the desert (a not unreasonable aim) and desertification control has hindered land rehabilitation efforts. A consequence of misunderstanding about desertification, fuelled by the belief that desert spreading is the primary problem, is the planting of sand dunes. Planting, though costly, is technically and logistically a simple operation now perfected by years of investigation in Northwest China and in Iran (and elsewhere). The benefit/cost ratio of planting is low or negative. But planting is visible and gives the impression that something is being done. It allows government agencies to avoid tackling the much harder social and economic problems of insidious land degradation. Phenomena like desertification involve environmental, economic and social factors. The combined effects have either been ignored or treated in a one-sided manner. Progress in combating desertification will require a major re-think and the application of holistic approaches such as Integrated Ecosystem Management.