Question 5(a) 2019
Suggest how the factors shown contribute drought risk in locations such as the Sahel
Introduction
This answer will be reflected on how shown in Figure 5 contribute to drought risk in locations such as the Sahel
Points to make
Need for fuelwood
Global warming, increased temperature
Deforestation
ENSO cycles (el niño and la niña effect)
Increased demand for fossil fuels
Overgrazing of lifestock
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Deforestation has increased due to fuelwood demand. This has affected an additional 300,000 hectares of land each year in the Sahel region.
The need for fuelwood is a product of limited resources available and need to maintain a subsistence lifestyle.
Increased demand for fossil fuels by developed and emerging economies have led to the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which has led to global warming. Despite agreements to reduce this impact, it is regions like the Sahel which are already vulnerable which are affected most.
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Overgrazing of livestock on already dry lands as either nomads are forced to become more sedentary or due to the mismanagement of commercial famers or overuse of land by subsistence farmers has led to increased soil erosion which has led to reduced food production.
Farming in the Sahel has removed vegetation which has an impact on the local water cycle which can affect rates of evaporation and ultimately lead to reduced precipitation in the region.
ENSO
- The impact of ENSO cycles may have worsened in recent years leading to prolonged dry periods (linked to global warming) and mismanagement of resources which have led to sustained periods of drought therefore forcing people to travel further for water supply or use potentially contaminated supplies.
- ENSO cycles have also led to increased drought through more frequent high pressure conditions in the Sahel region bringing dry air to the region.