Libya: Reversal of Land Degradation and Desertification Through Better Land Management - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 77

significant climate changes through geologic time on the African continent, in which
wet and dry cycles alternated. Dry periods led to the emergence of the Sahara, and
the current climate of the area is a continuation of the dry climate, which began
since the emergence of the Sahara, with a general tendency towards more long-
lasting droughts in the past years. Therefore, the wind and water erosion are among
the natural and fundamental factors causing land degradation and desertification in
Libya (Emgaili 2003 ). Although climatic factors play an important role in the spread
of the phenomenon of desertification, yet human activity causes the deepening of the
effects of drought on environmental resources and human beings.
Many human factors are combined contributing to the deterioration of environ-
mental conditions and the occurrence of desertification in Libya. The increasing
pressure of population on natural resources (e.g. water, soil, vegetation), poor
management and over exploitation of natural resources by entities or individuals,
mainly led to the desertification. Anthropogenic factors causing deterioration of
soil and vegetation in Libya include: (i) overexploitation of water resources (ii)
land transformation for agricultural uses (iii) Deforestation and the removal of
natural vegetation, (iv) over-grazing in marginal areas (v) Misuse of the soil for
agricultural purposes, and urbanization (El-Tantawi 2005 ; Emgaili 2003 ; Libya
General Planning Council 2003 ).
Desertification along with the degradation of rural, natural and pastoral areas
leads to the impoverishment of the nomads, shepherds and farmers in dry areas.
This process also leads to the migration of pastoralists, nomads and residents of rural
areas to cities in search of livelihood and the desire for a better life. Such a process
contributes to increase pressure on cities and resources and affects the economic
and social life of the nomadic tribes (Nahal 1987 ). Desertification results in a
variety of negative environmental, economic, social impacts, directly or indirectly.
Consequently the productivity of natural pastures, forest and agricultural land is
decreasing. In periods of successive drought the problem is considered acute and
studies have shown that the production per hectare of grain in the dry and marginal
areas in the Arab world has significantly decreased. Moreover, deterioration of the
pastoral environment causes a decline in the productivity of livestock and thus
reduces the productivity of meat and milk.
Desertification is accompanied by deterioration in soil fertility, change in its
physical and chemical properties and vulnerability to erosion by water (Arab
League 2003 ). This may cause a decrease in the volume of agricultural resources
and a decrease in the area of arable land, which ultimately has negative socio-
economic consequences. The shrinking of forest lands and natural pastures due to
deforestation leads to increase the number of animals - far exceeding the carrying
capacity of grazing lands, leading to the import of large amounts of animal feed from
abroad, and consequently causes economic losses. Similarly the loss of forests and
natural reserves, cause damage to national income as a result of the loss of revenue
from products (Nahal 1987 ). Desertification also leads to many environmental
impacts such as the formation of sand dunes and sand encroachment on urban areas
and farms, roads and railways. Most notably desertification leads to air pollution,
dust, and reduced biodiversity and other negative environmental effects.