Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
may have played a minor part, it was not a significant factor. In the Ethiopian drought of
the same period, political factors were important in preventing the distribution of food.
Whilst there may be some evidence of a decline in vegetation and soil quality along
the dryer margins of the savanna belt, the idea of an encroaching desert is not based on
hard scientific evidence. Nevertheless such areas are marginal, and a better understanding
of the environmental and economic processes influencing life in these regions is still
needed.
CONCLUSION
The dryland areas of the world cover an appreciable proportion of Earth's land surface.
They exhibit considerable diversity in natural environment, from the moister, wooded
areas of the savanna to the hyper-arid desert areas where rainfall is minimal. Many of the
developing countries of the world occupy this zone; most of them are experiencing rapid
population growth, which puts additional pressure on the national resources. As a result
the future of the dry lands is giving cause for concern. Even potential solutions may
differ, depending upon such factors as the wealth of the nation, its political system and
the relative importance of the dry areas in the overall economy. These days we must not
forget the attitudes of international organizations and the media. The sight of starvation
on television screens brings a vivid perspective to the problems of marginal agriculture in
ways which were impossible when communication was achieved on foot or by animal.
Unfortunately the response to such problems is more likely to be short-term food aid with
no consideration of the long-term problems which allowed the famine to develop in the
first place.
We must not consider all dry lands as areas of great hardship and stress. Many
economies survive adequately with the resources available, supplemented where possible
by additional water for irrigation. With care and understanding dryland areas can make an
effective contribution to the national economy. A good example would be the drier parts
of the United States, but it does help if there is financial and technological support.
FURTHER READING
Agnew, C., and Anderson, E. (1992)
Water Resources in the Arid Realm
, London: Routledge. A
modern text concerned with the availability and use of water resources in a dryland
environment. Emphasis on the Middle East and Africa.
Beaumont, P. (1993)
Drylands: environmental management and development
, London: Routledge.
A full discussion of environmental management in dryland areas. Emphasis on regional
examples.
Thomas, D. S. G., and Middleton, N. J. (1994)
Desertification: exploding the myth
, Chichester:
Wiley. This topic sets out to analyse the range of scientific, social and political issues
surrounding desertification. Puts forward various interesting ideas about the factors, especially
political ones, involved in desertification and their validity.
KEY POINTS
