The photograph, taken in 1975, shows a lush oasis in the Sahara Desert, teeming with vegetation and dotted with traditional settlements. Palm trees reach towards a clear blue sky, and a river meanders through the landscape. However, a stark contrast is presented by a more recent image, taken in 2023, of the same location. This later photograph reveals a barren wasteland; the river has dried up, the vegetation has withered, and the settlements appear abandoned or severely diminished. This dramatic transformation underscores the profound impact of desertification exacerbated by rapid population growth. Desertification, the process by which fertile land turns into desert, is a complex environmental challenge. It is driven by a multitude of factors, including climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, and overgrazing. These factors interact in intricate ways, creating a feedback loop that accelerates land degradation. For example, deforestation reduces the land's capacity to retain moisture, increasing the vulnerability to drought. Overgrazing depletes the soil's nutrients and leads to erosion, further diminishing its fertility. The Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert, provides a stark case study in the devastating effects of desertification. Its fragile ecosystem is particularly susceptible to environmental pressures. The region’s rapidly growing population places an immense strain on already scarce resources, including water and arable land. This increased demand for resources intensifies unsustainable practices, further accelerating the desertification process. Competition for dwindling resources can also lead to social conflict and displacement, creating a humanitarian crisis alongside the environmental one. Efforts to combat desertification involve a multi-pronged approach. Sustainable agricultural techniques, reforestation initiatives, and water conservation strategies are crucial for mitigating the environmental damage. Furthermore, addressing the underlying issues of population growth and poverty through education, family planning programs, and economic development is vital for long-term sustainability. Ultimately, the future of the Sahara, and other arid and semi-arid regions worldwide, depends on a holistic approach that integrates environmental protection with social and economic development.
1. What is the primary cause of the dramatic change in the Sahara Desert depicted in the two photographs?
2. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a contributing factor to desertification?
3. What does the passage suggest is a crucial component of combating desertification in the long term?
4. The passage uses the Sahara Desert as an example to illustrate: